CAN YOU WALK THE WALK?
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.”
1 John 3:18-19
Have you ever heard the saying “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?”
This saying has been used (and abused) by many for ages (athletes, politicians, celebrities), you name it. You can say you have a great football team, but can you walk the walk and win the Super Bowl next year?
Interestingly, John says much the same in today’s devotion: Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. Believers aren’t here to talk a good talk of love, but they are supposed to follow through and actually live a life of love, too.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
The reality check comes later when you hear John continue in that paragraph by saying that God knows everything. That means God knows all the times our words have been empty and vain and our actions have been cold and loveless.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
Remember today to not make loving promises with your tongue that do not come true in reality. If you say you are going to come to help, come help. The promise is encouraging and therefore loving. But all that encouragement goes away when you do not show up. So as you go about your day, tell the truth and more importantly love in truth.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)
Thankfully, getting into heaven doesn’t depend on the amount of love that we put into action. If it did, we would never make it into heaven! Instead, our entrance into heaven depends on the amount of love that Jesus did and what He put in action. So God gives us one simple command: Believe in Jesus.
How do you believe in Jesus?
By trusting that Jesus is your Savior. Trusting that He loved you enough to die for your sins. Trusting that He loves you enough to forgive your sins every day.
“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13)
That trust is that Jesus is what moves us to go on and live in love for others as shown in the Bible. As Jesus has loved us, we need to love others. That love of Jesus is what leads us not only to talk the talk but also to walk the walk.
Do you talk the talk or do you walk the walk?
Do you need Prayer? We are here to pray with you.
“Heavenly Father, Your Word says to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. When I am a doer of Your Word, I will do more than talk the talk. Your Word goes on to say, so that I won’t deceive myself. I sure do not want to deceive my own self. Father, I ask Your Holy Spirit to lead me, guide me, give me the strength I need to do what Your Word says and do what I say to and for others. I want others to see Your life living in me to the praise of Your Glory! Thank You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
