Actions not Words

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Mike

Stop studying the Bible. If you’re a mature Christian and you’ve read the Bible, attended thousands of sermons, been to Bible seminars and small group studies many times, do you really need to keep studying? You should have it down by now. Actions not words should dominate your walk with the Lord at this point. Those words should be deeply implanted in your heart by now. Those words come alive when you take action.

James 2:14-17 (NASB)

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”

When you first become a Christian I believe strongly in the value of studying the Bible from cover-to-cover, preferably along with the guidance of a good teacher. As a new believer the bulk of your walk with the Lord should be in careful study and in prayer to fully grasp what it means to follow Jesus. If you’re diligent in your study, you should be well acquainted with the ways of the Lord within a year. Once you have a solid biblical foundation you expand that knowledge by putting what you’ve learned into action. As a new believer the word of God should be your focus. As a mature believer it should be actions not words.

James 1:22 (NASB)

“Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

Rather than going to another weekend Bible retreat, why not spend a weekend helping others? Rather than spending an evening going through the book of Romans verse-by-verse again, why not spend the evening helping others? Rather than working your way through another one year bible reading program, why not use that time to help others?

Philippians 2:3-4 (NASB)

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Following Jesus is a Process of Actions not Words

Following Jesus is not a passive endeavor. You need to get on your feet and move. There’s probably someone around you right now who can use your help in some way. If not, you most likely won’t have to go very far to find someone who needs your help. Certainly, if you ask everyone you meet how you might be of help, chances are you’ll find more than one person who has a problem which you can help solve. Serving God is all about serving others. If you want to serve others you will need to actively pursue that goal. It has become easy in this world to look the other way and just keep going when God places someone in need directly in front of us. The devil has provided us with a million excuses not to help. A true follower of Jesus pushes the devil aside and makes the time to take action.

The Word of God is profoundly important. Once it has taken up residence in your heart, actions not words, are far more important. It may be time to put the Bible down and get on your feet.

Titus 3:8 (NASB)

“I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.”

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