FEBRUARY 6, 2013
By
Our Deeds
Read: Matthew 23:23-31
Even a child is known
by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and
right. —Proverbs 20:11
One
night a clergyman was walking to church when a thief pulled a gun
on him and
demanded his money or his life. When he reached in his pocket
to hand over his
wallet, the robber saw his clerical collar and said: “I see
you are a priest.
Never mind, you can go.” The clergyman, surprised by
the robber’s unexpected
act of piety, offered him a candy bar. The robber
said, “No thank you. I don’t
eat candy during Lent.”
The
man had given up candy as a supposed sacrifice for Lent, but his
lifestyle of
stealing showed his real character! According to the writer of
Proverbs,
conduct is the best indicator of character. If someone says he
is a godly
person, his words can only be proven by consistent actions
(20:11). This was
true of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day as well. He
condemned the Pharisees
and exposed their sham for professing godliness
but denying that profession with
sin in their lives (Matt. 23:13-36).
Appearances and words are deceiving;
behavior is the best judge of character.
This applies to all of us.
As
followers of Jesus, we demonstrate our love for Him by what we do,
not just by
what we say. May our devotion to God, because of His love for
us, be revealed
in our actions today.
Spiritual words are mere distractions
If not backed up by our godly actions,
And all our good and beautiful creeds
Are nothing without God-honoring deeds. —Williams
Conduct is the best proof of character.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
