deeds – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

Actions speak louder than words.

That is true of anyone who is truly a child of God. We saw that in James, and we see that here as well.

Jesus’ actions spoke volumes.

John said,

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (1 John 3:16)

In other words, true love is fiercely practical. Jesus showed his love by dying on a cross for us. In the same way, we are to show love for others by laying down our lives for them.

In case we missed the point, John goes on, saying,

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (17-18)

In short, true love does not stand still. When it sees others in need, it has compassion and reaches out.

And that should be the mark of any child of God. Not just words of love. But deeds of love.

If we can see those who are hurting around us and have no compassion at all, if instead we think solely of ourselves, how can we say that we are God’s children? Especially in the light of the love we have received from him.

How about you? Does love mark your life? Do you have compassion for those who are hurting around you? Or do you not even care?

Remember the words of Jesus,

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me….whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. (Matthew 25:40, 45)

What does the love you have for others say about you?

To know God

The last four kings after Josiah can all be basically painted bad.

Jehoahaz (known as Shallum in Jeremiah 22), Jehoakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah all were miserable failures as kings.

We’ll take a closer look at the latter three later, but God makes his comment on the first three kings in Jeremiah 22.

Basically, they were all more interested in themselves than in serving God or the people. They used their positions of power merely to enrich themselves while ignoring God and the needs of the people. And so God passes judgment on all three kings.

In doing so, he compares them to Josiah, saying,

“Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.

“But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion.” (Jeremiah 22:15-17)

All of these men knew of God. They knew what he had done in the past. But they didn’t truly know him. And God makes crystal clear that knowing him doesn’t simply mean knowing about him.

To know God means to acknowledge him with our lives and with our actions. To do what is just and right, things that these kings simply did not do.

James put it this way,

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder. (James 2:18-19)

How about you? Do you simply know about God? Do you simply believe that he exists? Or do your actions and your life show it?