We’ve heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” It is a saying that reminds to avoid hypocrisy and pursue integrity. The life of Jesus was one where actions and words melded together seamlessly. As his followers, we won’t have such perfection in this life, but we’re to aim in our spiritual growth to repent of our hypocrisies and live as we speak. For the Christian, actions should not speak louder than words but, rather, should say the same.
Paul made this point as he wrote to Titus:
To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. They claim to know God, but they deny him by their works.
Titus 1:15-16
We are saved by grace through faith, not by works, the Bible regularly reminds us; but our faith is seen in our works. We can claim to know God. We can speak of daily devotions, vibrant prayer, and a close relationship. Yet, if our lives are consistently marked by things that go against God’s word (not sins that we hate, long to reject, but struggle with; but a true and constant embrace of sin), then our words are vain.
Let our lives and words match. Let the gospel not only define our belief but our actions as well.
This post is part of a devotional series based on our 2020 Bible Reading Calendar. All Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible.
Image source: Photo by Sander Mathlener on Unsplash
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