The Blessing of Doing

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”  John 13:17 HCSB

This statement is Jesus final words to His disciples after washing their feet as they prepare for the “last supper.” Jesus even knowing the future that awaits Him in the coming hours, focuses on this last teaching demonstration about the values that are to direct the disciples lives.

After He finishes, He gives them to instruction “…you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.”  (John 13:14-16 HCSB)

As Jesus had done for them, they were to do for each other and for others. Jesus early in His ministry said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV) The true test and path of blessing was not the disciples understanding, but the degree to which they actually put into practice what Jesus did and taught.

That is the challenge for us all. Love is not knowledge, it is action. Paul said, “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV) Do we gauge our obedience and spiritual maturity by our knowledge or by our actions? I fear that many, and often include myself, have large spiritual heads and small bodies. That is to picture the difference between what we know and the development of our putting into practice what we know.

When Jesus told the parable of the wise and foolish builders, He said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24 NIV) Jesus asked the penetrating question, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46 NIV)

Paul said, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9 NIV) James said, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. (James 1:22 NLT)

I recall years ago a teacher warning against, “postponed learning.” The statement was in reference to taking notes and resting in the security that you have the information available, but never review it and apply it. This is even more removed, “it may not be in my  mind, but I know I have it written down somewhere.” It is like, “I know it is in the Bible somewhere, I think.”

I am challenged once again, as I review these verses of the Bible, about the importance of acting on what  I know. It not only allows me to be a mature believer, but it is what brings the Lord’s blessing to my life.

Prayer for today… “Lord, forgive me for forfeiting the blessings You have for me, by failing to act on what I know. It is too easy to pride in what “I know” and neglect to put into practice what I have learned from Your Word. Allow me to commit to a greater level of practice and obedience as I follow and continue to learn of You.”