August 8, 2018

Our Actions – Seeds Planted That God Can Grow

Scripture: “Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” – John 10:37,38

Observation/Application:
The opposition of the Pharisees was strong. Jesus taught them, refuted their arguments, and performed miracle after miracle in front of them, yet they refused to believe. One of Jesus’s teachings included these verses around His works. Jesus tells them that even if they don’t believe in Him, they should believe the works. At least in this, they could understand that the Father is in him, and he in the Father.

And so it is with us. Many who do not know or believe in Jesus will only see our actions. And like that ever popular Christian hymn, ” they’ll know we are Christians by our love”. People will look at us to see what being a Christian is like. They will look at our works, by how we live our lives each and every day.

What else really stuck out to me in this verse is where Jesus says, “even if you do not believe me”. Here he is saying, even if you do not believe the words that I am telling you. For many, words are not enough. We must always remember that what we say is only part of the equation. Our actions must match our Words. The love and peace and joy that we speak of that easily rolls off our tongues should as easily match the love in our hearts, then pour from our hearts and match our actions. Are we filled with love and peace and joy? Do we have patience and understanding during trials? Do our actions match what we say is in our hearts?

I know that this is something that I need to work on. While I may seek the Lord first each morning, and tithe, and volunteer at church and in various ministries, do I maintain these good things in my heart and in my actions all of the time? Heck no. More than I’d like to admit, I get frustrated, I worry, I feel weak, I even get mad and need to go hit a heavy bag.

And I know that’s alright. I am not perfect, none of us are. But as his creation we are perfect in God’s eyes. I know that what the enemy intended for harm, God will turn around for good. The part of me that gets mad and aggressive is the warrior that God created in me that will help me to press through the more difficult challenges and problems that deter most people. It’s the driving force that leads me through the storm when everyone else is falling and it seems like all is lost.

To come to Christ we don’t have to be perfect. We are going to fail, and we are going to fall. But we can come to Jesus just as we are, and ask Him to be the leader of our hearts and of our lives. As we follow Jesus, and as our relationship with Him deepens, our hearts and minds will become more like him. And as our hearts and minds become more like Jesus, so will our actions become more like his. Then others who don’t believe our words may see our actions, each one a seed planted that God can grow into a faith that reaches the heavens.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Help us to stay close to you all throughout the day, so that our insides match up with our outsides. Fill our hearts with love and peace and joy, so that our actions reflect your goodness. Help us to walk with you, and to not turn to the right or to the left. Help us to hear your voice, and feel your touch. Guide our every step. Deter the attacks of the enemy, keep us from temptation, and deliver us from evil. Let God’s peace and love guide our every moment. Fill us with your goodness, and let your Holy Spirit pour out. We give you all the honor and glory in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Image courtesy of: –Tico–