Actions and Words
Key Texts: Jeremiah 7:1-3
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Stand at the gate of the Lord’s house and there proclaim this message: “‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.”
One thing about Biblical prophets – they get right to the point.
Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet” had much to say to his countrymen about the ways they were failing in their relationship with God.
He had much to lament, and he was quick to share the depth of his sorrow with the people.
One of the things that was at the center of his prophetic witness was this: words aren’t enough – actions matter too.
It’s the bit of counsel that today we might put this way: “Actions speak louder than words.”
How about in your life?
Do your actions match your words? Do the things you say you believe in find real, practical expression in your day to day decisions and actions? I hope so.
None of us are perfect. As the apostle Paul would say, “All have fallen short of the glory of God.”
One thing is certain though. If our words of faith are constantly contradicted by our day to day actions, they don’t count for much.
So – take an inventory – regularly.
Can you honestly say you walk the walk and not just talk the talk?
If so, your faith is strong and secure and honest – and others will take notice.
If not, they will also notice.
Because actions really do speak louder than words.
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By Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
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IGW3 - In God's Word, In God's Will, In God's Work 