Saturday, December 8, 2007

As I say, Not as I do?

You've heard it before, maybe have used the phrase jokingly, or in frustration at someone who insists on comparing your actions to your words. "Do as I say, not as I do." We let the words flit across our lips without even realizing the true meaning of those words. Without letting a thought cross our minds as to what type of witness that may be.

I invite you to take a moment, and let those careless, thoughtless phrases be pondered.

Who are we really? Are we all one of a kind, or are we all cut from the same cloth. Do we think and act for ourselves, or are we bought with a price, and therefore need to glorify God in our body, our actions, and our thoughts.

"…Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue; and if there be anything praise-worthy, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you" Philippians 4:8, 9.

Is this an example of who God is? We profess to be followers of Christ, and yet, we are to follow not only what Christ has said, but also what he has done. Aren't we too, to be examples to those around us? Should we not say with pleasure, "Do as I say, and do?" Yes, that should be our motive.

Indeed, that is what the Christian experience maintains. Sadly, many cannot, yes, even I, cannot say that. We are all still in our learning experiences, and we fall many times. We are not the perfect examples. We are rather awful examples. But yet, why do we not strive harder? Why do we sit as thoughtless representatives of our Heavenly Father?

Think on these things….