1 John 3:18  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Many of us know this to be true whether you are a true believer in Christ or not.  We know that mere words are meaningless unless backed up with actions or behaviors.  We can say all the right words and even say what you want to hear but if we don’t really mean what we say or do the opposite of what we say, then our talk is worthless.  We are not walking the talk.  Talk is cheap if not followed up with actions.  We are judged more often by our behaviors, conduct and actions versus what we say.  

There are many verses throughout scripture that speak to us about hearing and then not doing and are at the heart of what being a true follower of Christ means.  There are many Christians who haven’t truly made the commitment of being obedient to the truth and commandments of God’s word. 

Time and again God calls His people to obey His commandments and to follow in His ways and His teachings.  Ezekiel 33:31  So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people. And they hear your words, but they do not do them;  for with their mouths they show much love, but with their hearts pursue their own gain.  

For fifty-three years I was the foolish man pursuing my own ways and desires and paid little attention to the truth of the Gospel.   Don’t let this happen to you.  It is never to late to spend time in the greatest book ever written and to allow God to speak to you in ways you never thought possible.

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7:21  “ Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”  and then Jesus said in v23 “ I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”  Jesus went on to say in v26 that if someone hears these sayings of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand.  As opposed to the wise man in v25 who builds their house on the rock.  My friends where have you built your house ?   Christ Jesus is telling us plainly that if we don’t follow His words of truth and put them into practice, we are risking eternal separation from God.   Jesus is more concerned with our walk not our talk.

James then uses a mirror metaphor as it relates to how easily we forget what is seen or heard if we aren’t obeying or putting into practice what is said as found in James 1:22  “ Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.   v23  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  v24  For he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he is.  BUT v25  he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer BUT a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 

These verses again stress the importance of Not just hearing the word of God but more importantly to obey what God commands.  Do the truths spoken in the Gospel affect how you are living your life ?  Are you doing what Jesus tells us to do ? 

Are you just talking or hearing the talk and not walking the talk ?  James 2:14  What does it profit, if someone says he has faith but does not have works ?  Can faith save them ?  James uses a metaphor in v15,16 of someone who is destitute, in need of food and you just say to them go in peace be warmed and filled -  But you do nothing to help them – what does it profit ?   v17  “Thus faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  v18  Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”   Just claiming your faith is not enough.  True faith transforms lives and changes our conduct and behaviors more like what Jesus desires and teaches us.

We also know and understand as true followers of Christ it takes more than talk as evidenced in James 2:19  “ You believe that there is one God.  You do well.  Even the demons believe – and tremble !  BUT v20  Do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead ? 

These verses provide very clearly what the ultimate meaning of WALKING the TALK.  Jesus Christ expects us to follow and obey His teachings, His ways and His commands.  And as stated by Jesus Himself in Matthew 12:30  “ He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” 

There is no middle ground my friends.   You either choose to follow and obey Jesus Christ or you choose to follow Satan.  You either reject Jesus Christ or You wholeheartedly accept and acknowledge Him as your Lord and Savior. 

Start today – Don’t delay and change your life - Let the power of God’s words speak to you and be filled with a peace and joy beyond measure.  

Find additional inspiration and encouragement found in the books “Finding Calm in the Storm of Everyday Living” or “Heart and Soul” either going to Amazon directly or hitting the home page of the store.