Actions Speak Louder Than Words
I was back at Morning Star Assisted living for the chapel service today. It was good to be back after a three week absence, due to other Sunday obligations and travel. This is an appreciative group that has become very dear to me.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Matthew 21:28-30 ESV
We have all heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words.” The leadership adage that is related to his is, “under-promise and over-deliver.” In other words, it is better to do something that you did not commit to than to commit to it and fail to follow through.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had great understanding, but poor follow up and failed to practice for themselves what they instructed others to do. On another occasion Jesus instructed the people about the Scribes and Pharisees, “do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.” (Matthew 23:3 ESV)
The point of this parable was to show the Pharisees that “tax collectors and sinners” would enter into God’s kingdom ahead of them because even in their failure to express commitment, they had a change of heart that was demonstrated in obeying and following the Lord.
The Pharisees on the other hand, were those who loved the limelight, they like to tell others how to lives, but they did not follow their own teachings. They found ways to excuse themselves, to exempt themselves from the “law” they taught and even created.
That is the form of hypocrisy that many criticize in our political realm today. Whether religious lawmakers 2,000 years ago or civic lawmakers today, there is a glaring deficiency when someone believes that a law or practice or prohibition is good for others, but don’t want to be bound by that same standard.
Jesus’ simple, yet condemning question was, “which of the two did the will of the Father?” It seems sheepishly the religious leaders had to admit it was the first.
Perhaps John was reflecting back on this encounter when he would many years later write, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17 NIV) He didn’t say “knows the will of the Father” – he said, “does.” So once again in scripture we are confronted with the importance of our actions.
Whether we commit and follow through, or fail to commit and then “repent” and follow through, let’s be reminded that the “proof is in the….doing.”
Prayer for today…. Lord strengthen our resolve, to put into practice Your truth and to be those who will faithfully follow You, both in word and in deed.