We demonstrate we belong to God through our actions …

A man wrote to his girlfriend, “Susie, I love you so much that I would climb the highest mountain, cross the driest desert, sail the most tempestuous seas for you. See you Sunday if it doesn’t rain.”

In our relationships with anyone, we want the action of a person to be the proof of what they say. When it comes to Christians, too many are singing “Standing on the Promises” while they are just sitting on the premises. As disciples of Jesus, we need to demonstrate that we belong to God through our actions. How we live (action) will substantiate whether or not we are truly followers of Jesus.

Take a small look at the big emphasis the New Testament places on our actions demonstrating that we are children of God:

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ …” Philippians 1:27a.

“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God,” Ephesians 4:1.

“If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead … Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God,” 1 John 3:14, 18-19.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter,” Matthew 7:21.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago,” Ephesians 2:10.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it,” James 1:22-25.

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’ — but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless,” James 2:14-17.

“Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works,” James 2:26.

“Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good,” Titus 1:15-16.

Do the actions that fill your life prove your confession of faith in Christ to be true? Or does how you live your life contradict your claims of following Jesus?

Scotty