Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.- James 1:22 (NIV)
Lillian and her husband were enjoying a quiet meal in a restaurant. Suddenly, they heard a man talking in a loud voice. The longer he talked, the louder his voice became. Evidently he wasn’t pleased with his food or the service.
As he left the restaurant, the other diners could read on the back of his shirt the words of a Christian message. The words said one thing, but his actions conveyed a different message.
Years ago, I received a note in the morning mail. It was from a woman in our church, one who was a new Christian. She had written: “I’ve watched you for a long time, not believing you were quite real. But now I have come to realize that you live what you say.” I hadn’t realized that someone was watching to see if the way I lived matched the words I said.
It was a powerful reminder that when we take the name “Christian,” we also take on the responsibility of living as Christians, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
As he left the restaurant, the other diners could read on the back of his shirt the words of a Christian message. The words said one thing, but his actions conveyed a different message.
Years ago, I received a note in the morning mail. It was from a woman in our church, one who was a new Christian. She had written: “I’ve watched you for a long time, not believing you were quite real. But now I have come to realize that you live what you say.” I hadn’t realized that someone was watching to see if the way I lived matched the words I said.
It was a powerful reminder that when we take the name “Christian,” we also take on the responsibility of living as Christians, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
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