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I Mean It

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). The way we live our lives, and the way we keep our word, are our testimonies. We never want to be a stumbling block on anyone’s path. Instead, we should take care to build others up, be there for them, and set an example of what it means to put God first.

I have a hard time saying what I mean and meaning what I say, which goes directly against what God’s word tells us.  James 5:12 says, “All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.”  It is not that I mean to be deceitful.  My intention is not to disappoint anyone.  However, I often end up disappointing everyone because I am not able to fulfill all of the obligations to which I have committed myself.  At that moment, my intentions don’t matter.  My point is that as Christ followers, we are to follow through on our commitments.  “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).   The way we live our lives, and the way we keep our word, are our testimonies.  We never want to be a stumbling block on anyone’s path.  Instead, we should take care to build others up, be there for them, and set an example of what it means to put God first.  We can start with the words that come out of our mouths, to make sure they are truthful, and we are able to follow through with what we said when the time comes.  Psalms 86:11 is our prayer, “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”  

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for grace and mercy.  We thank You for another chance to get it right.  Help us to say what we mean and mean what we say.  Help us to follow through on our commitments knowing others are watching as we live out our testimonies as Christ followers.  Help us draw others to You.  We love You.  We trust You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.