JAMES 1:22.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
TO PONDER:
From my experience, it is not uncommon for a critique of any corporate entity, business or general day-to-day service provider, for the assessment to include a section that measures whether the operation actually 'walks the talk'. That is, what mantra's do the respective business openly market to the public as statements that underpin their operational principles – and most importantly, does the business uphold these principles in all their dealings with their customers. In a corporate environment, this evaluation of whether the business 'walks the talk' is often directly reflective of the overall business' behavioural culture.
Having sound and equitable underlying business principles are worthless and worse still, reputationally damaging if they are not strictly adhered to or inherently lived out by all employees of the business.
The message for us today from James 1 verse 22 is very similar from my perspective. Do you as a Christian actively strive to daily live a Christ-like life? Do you 'walk the Christian talk? Do your words, actions and even your thoughts mirror those of Jesus as we have read and learned from the scriptures?
God does not want us to be passive Christian's! No fear! He wants us to be active, letting His light in us shine brightly for everyone to see. We are His chosen children, and He has won us our freedom from sin and death through His grace and His grace alone. We are deceiving ourselves and God to receive this freedom and not actively live it and share it so that others also have the opportunity to come to know Him as their saviour.
What is your Christian behavioural culture rating? Do you actively and daily 'walk the Christian talk?'
PRAYER:Jesus our Saviour. You were sent down to earth to set an example of exactly how I should strive to live my life. You fulfilled the scriptures, even to the extent of an innocent, cruel, suffering and death for me, just as our Heavenly Father had asked of you. Help me to be reminded of this gift of grace daily, and to lay down my life for you daily so that you can continue to fulfill Your earthly works through me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping