Useful Actions

James 1:23-24  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Thoughts and words are nothing without action. One can speak and not act, one can dream and not do. Although intention is as a bow, it can do nothing without arrows of action. Those that do not practice what they preach are more loathsome than those that preach their sin.

If you would call others to submit their lives to the law of God, you must first be certain your own actions are in accordance with His teachings. We are ambassadors for Christ, so our conduct must be that which represents Christ.

Mahatma Gandhi was once asked why he rejected Christ, he replied "I don't reject Christ...It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ. If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today." Although Gandhi certainly exaggerated about all of India being Christians, what he did not exaggerate about was that many Christians are unlike Christ.

Christianity is a word based religion, but it must not end in words, it must have action. The great commission is a call to action. A call to Holiness, a call to spread the gospel of Christ across the globe. The gospel is not only about salvation, it is about changing your life so completely and utterly that there is nothing you can do but praise Him for his goodness.

"Preach the Gospel at all times; and when necessary use words.”- St. Francis of Assisi

Through His Strength We Will Conquer,
Andrew C. Abbott