Walk the Talk
There’s an old saying that’s been passed through the generations.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
Parents, elders, bosses, and the rest say this to us to remind us that people are watching, and it often doesn’t really matter what we say if that’s not how we’re living. As teens, we blow it off, rolling our eyes, but the older we get, the more we realize the significance. If we’re honest with ourselves, the misapplication (or non-application) of this is where those who have been hurt by the Church get the right to call out hypocrisy.
I love the Church. I’ve been hurt by members of the Church. And I know the Church is not perfect.
But y’all.
We HAVE to do better. We must take seriously the call to imitate Christ. The world is watching and waiting for our response. If we say we are Christians, it is undoubtedly best to live a life that the fruit is obvious.
As I watch shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette (my guilty pleasures…terrible, I know), I am amazed at those who say things like, “My faith is so important to me,” normal met with the response of, “That’s so good. That’s what I’m looking for,” and then they continue to get drunk or talk about sex so candidly or ultimately say that not having sex in a fantasy suite is a deal breaker. In fact, every single time, this exchange takes place, I literally roll my eyes. I know that it’s just empty words, for the most part.
When we claim we are Christians, we better not take it lightly. We better understand that Christian literally means “little Christ,” which is to say, we are to imitate Him.
We have to call out sin in those that are lost, but we also have to call it out in our brothers and sisters. Even if it is uncomfortable and may cost us. We have to expose the darkness to light that we may walk in light and be true to our Savior.
We have to be sure that if we say we are Christians, we are kind, gentle, loving, exercising self-control, regardless of the ways in which our emotions surge.
If we say we are pro-life, we have to keep in mind that means from birth to death. We have to support mothers in adoption, meet the needs they may have, give them support, not ostracize them. We have to be sure that we are not letting people “other” those that we come into contact with on a daily basis because of the color of their skin, disabilities, a different view point, the elderly. We have to protect them, even if it means giving up some of our own freedoms for a temporary time (I’m looking at you COVID-19 and those that won’t just STAY HOME). We have to quit thinking we are superior to others, and get rid of the toxic logic that allows us to believe if it doesn’t directly impact us, then it doesn’t really matter.
When we say all are welcome, we dang sure better welcome them with open arms whether it’s in the doors of our church or in our home.
When we say we are Christians and we have peace, that is not an excuse to be irresponsible or naive in our decisions, but it is an invitation to take the proper course of action and rest in the fact that God is in control.
If we claim we love others, we better not stand on the street corners yelling hell and damnation, but we better go meet them where they are and build a relationship. We must speak the truth in love and have open dialogue rather than brow-beating those we come in contact with a Bible.
The world is hurting and in need of a Savior, but nobody will buy what we’re selling if we aren’t living a life reflective of the Gospel. They will wonder what difference it even makes. Quit giving out lip service and do something, but count the cost because a life worthy of the Gospel will certainly cost you.
Disclaimer: I have only touched lightly on some of these topics. There are some very nuanced things in here that should go further in posts to come.
Beach Worship at Beach Reach in South Padre Island, TX
Spring Break 2010