MATTHEW 7:15-20; PROVERBS 20:11
A clergyman was walking to church one night when a thief approached him with a knife and demanded his money or his life. When the thief saw his clerical collar as he dug into his pocket to hand him his wallet, he added, “I can see that you are a priest.” “Do not worry, you are free to go.” Surprised by the thief’s show of piety, the clergyman offered him a chocolate bar. The thief said, “No thank you. I abstain from eating chocolate during lent.”
The man had given up chocolate as a supposed Lent sacrifice, but his criminal lifestyle revealed his true character! The best predictor of character, according to the writer of Proverbs, is one’s actions. If someone claims to be a holy person, only his deeds can back up his claims. Appearances and words can be deceitful; the best measure of character is action.
As followers of Jesus, we show our love for Him through our actions, not simply our words. May our love for God be shown in our actions today.
🙏🏼 Lord Jesus, may our actions speak today. For all our good and beautiful creeds are nothing without God-honouring deeds.
