Posts Tagged ‘ Orthopraxy ’
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18, ESV
Some may say “share the Gospel, and if necessary use words.”
That is not the point here. Rather, it is better said “put your money where your mouth is.”
Do not merely teach it: Do it.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV
Everything we do and say should glorify God and draw others to Him. If what we say and do only scares people away and/or distracts from God, we may not be acting in love.
And he believed the Lord , and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6, ESV
The most important thing the Lord requires of us is faith and obedience. Without faith, we cannot be fully obedient. Without obedience, we show our lack of faith.
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:6, ESV
We must be careful how we live and teach, for we are just as culpable in others’ salvation as our own. If we push people away from God through our actions and teachings (that do not conform with Scripture), we are guilty.
(He still shows grace, if we turn and repent!)
Be careful how you live.
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:18, NASB
It is not enough to point out sin and correction.
It is not enough to offer platitudes and comments.
We must be WITH people, helping, soothing, and encouraging, without neglecting the sin, the gospel, and nice words.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2, ESV
It is impossible to rightly serve God if we are not focused on Him. Loving others will fall apart if we are not rightly loving Him, even if we are trying to help others but stay focused solely on physical needs and worldly issues.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV
May we never say “Do as I say, not as I do” as Christians.
We have the Word of God, but our faith is so much more than words. We must interact with our world in real and physical ways! And He will empower, strengthen, and move through us!
