My friends in the corporate world complain about the
endless, nearly pointless, meetings that eat up large chunks of the work day. I
have sat through some of those myself! Don’t you just love that guy who fills
the agenda with his ‘great’ ideas but who seldom follows through? In any
setting, it becomes clear in a few days who works and who just talks. My
admiration goes to the one who gets the job done without feeling the need to
tell everybody about what he is doing, why he is doing it, and how hard he is
working at it. To borrow a phrase, “Just do it!” I grew up with a phrase
that described a person who was just words. My dad called that man ‘all hat, no
cattle.’ Funny phrase, isn’t it? It referred to a person trying to
look the part of the rancher, but who didn’t really own any stock.
In his final letter to his protégé, Paul warned Timothy that
people would come into the Church who were big talkers, who liked
to derail others with long arguments about words. "Remind everyone
about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over
words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them."
(2 Timothy 2:14, NLT) "Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only
leads to more godless behavior." (2 Timothy 2:16, NLT) I
remember the long debates in college coffeehouses about whether we should serve
wine or grape juice at Communion. We debated, ad nauseam, projected timelines
for the Last Days. We talked about things of which we knew next to
nothing, but we sure had opinions! To turn our Christianity into mere
words about trivial matters or personal preferences is not just a waste of
time, it is ruinous to faith.
We are warned in the Word about those who just want to have
an argument. Should we get ourselves worked up, ready to fight to the finish?
No. "Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments
that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind
to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently
instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s
hearts, and they will learn the truth." (2 Timothy 2:23-25, NLT)
So, the counsel of the Spirit comes to us. "Do your
best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to
be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy
2:15, NIV) The approval we need should come from the only One that
matters. As we live this Christian life the we will not chase after making
great impressions or with creating an image of success. Instead we will ask
ourselves just one question – Is the God who knows it all pleased with
me? We can comfort ourselves with the truth that "Nothing in all
creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes,
and he is the one to whom we are accountable." (Hebrews 4:13, NLT)
And, if we are just big talkers, the truth of God’s omniscience should
put us right, closing our mouths and sending us to work.
We live in a world of words. The torrent of information that
washes over us makes it more difficult than ever to sort out the truth, doesn’t
it? Let’s not fall into the trap of talking a better Christianity than we
actually practice. Here is the word from the Word. "For the
Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power."
(1 Corinthians 4:20, NLT)
Lord, call us to faithful, steady, effective service for
You. Amen.
____________
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name
Christ alone cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Savior's love
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all
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