Talk Is Cheap: Aligning Belief with Behavior-Bridging the Gap Between Words and Deeds

Many Christians are more than willing to vocalize their faith and their relationship with the Lord. They passionately discuss their beliefs and share their convictions with the world. It's a beautiful testament to the strength of their spirituality. Yet, there lies a significant challenge within this dichotomy – not all who profess their faith are consistently translating it into their actions and conduct as commanded by the Lord.

This incongruence between words and deeds, often referred to as "hearing the Word without doing it," raises profound questions about the authenticity of our faith. How deep does our commitment go? Are we, as the Scriptures call us to be, faithful doers of the Word, or have we unintentionally confined our faith to mere words?

This issue isn't taken lightly by the Lord, and the Scriptures resound with reminders and teachings on the importance of aligning our beliefs with our actions. To talk about one's faith is, in itself, an admirable step, but to live it authentically through our daily actions is where true transformation and spiritual growth occurs in our lives and speaks to those around us. Are we consistently "walking the talk" of our faith?

In the words of the apostle John, a disciple who walked side by side with Jesus, we find a powerful message about the authenticity of our faith. Having spent 3½ years closely following the Lord during His ministry, John's familiarity with Jesus was profound, and his words hold immense weight. 1 John 2:3-4: "We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands." "Whoever says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person."

John's words are a stark reminder that our actions must harmonize with our beliefs. It's not sufficient to merely declare our faith; we must embody it through our deeds and obedience to His commands. To do otherwise, as John boldly asserts, is to distort the truth and lack authenticity in our faith journey.

In both John's time and today, we encounter individuals who boldly declare, "I know the Lord." They profess faith in Him, yet their actions do not align with His commands. The apostle's message remains as potent now as it was then: Those who profess belief but fail to follow the Lord's commands are, according to God's Word, simply liars.  

This uncompromising message underscores the significance of living out our faith authentically. It's not a matter of choice; it's a biblical mandate. When we claim to "live in Him," our lives and conduct must bear witness to this truth. We are not given the option to do otherwise; it's a biblical "must."

As true believers, we are called to emulate our Lord Jesus in our behavior, striving to walk the path He walked on Earth. We are called to pursue His image, His likeness, His holiness, and His character with a sincere and unwavering commitment. It's not a solitary journey; we are empowered in this pursuit by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, for we are born-again sons and daughters of God (2 Corinthians 6:18).

James 1:22, in the King James Version, delivers a timeless message: "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only..." The power of the Word lies not only in hearing it but in living it. It's about taking the Word's teachings and commands to heart and actively applying them to our lives. So, let this message resonate in your heart: Be more than a "hearer only." Be a "doer of the word."

Act upon the Word's teachings and experience the transformative power of living out your faith. In John 14:15, 21, and 23, Jesus powerfully conveys the vital connection between love and obedience: "If you love me, keep my commandments... Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me... If anyone loves me, he will keep my word."

Similarly, 1 John 5:3 provides a profound insight: "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands." It's a common declaration among Christians to say, "I love God, I love Jesus." Professing this love is indeed a beautiful and essential part of our faith. As affirmed by Jesus Himself, the greatest commandment encompasses us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38).

Yet, love expressed in words alone, devoid of obedient actions, falls short of its full potential. This is where "the talk" must harmonize with "the walk." It's relatively easy to profess our love for the Lord, but it's equally crucial to live a life dedicated to keeping His commandments. 

As we've seen, Jesus emphasizes the inseparable link between love and obedience. The apostle John's words in 1 John 5:3 offer a concise and profound definition of love for God: "This is love for God: to keep his commands." It's not merely a matter of spoken affection but a commitment to living in alignment with God's will and guidance. The saying goes, "Talk is cheap."

It's effortless to declare one's love for the Lord, but the real testament to our love is living as doers of His Word, diligently keeping His commands and instructions. This is the proof, as both Jesus and the apostle John emphasize, that we genuinely love the Lord. Likewise, many believers profess their love for their brothers and sisters in the Lord, saying, "I really love my fellow believers." Yet, the apostle charges us not to love only with "words or speech, but with actions."

This Scripture's wisdom might well be the origin of our contemporary saying: "Talk is cheap, but actions are priceless." Let us be mindful of the authenticity of our love, both for the Lord and for one another. Are our lives resonating with our words? Are we demonstrating our love through actions and truth? 

In this alignment of words and deeds, we discover the true measure of our faith. In 1 John 3:17, the apostle John draws our attention to a situation where a fellow believer is in need. He highlights the believer who possesses the means to help meet that need but chooses not to do so. This is a clear example of "loving" in words but failing to translate that love into actions.

In verse 17, John asks a poignant question: "How can the love of God be in that person?" James, in James 2:14-17, presents a similar scenario. He speaks of those who profess to have faith but don't demonstrate it through their actions. James provides the example of a brother or sister in need of clothing and daily sustenance. If someone merely offers verbal well-wishes without taking action to meet their physical needs, what good is it?

This example underscores the idea of "talking the talk" without actually assisting a distressed brother or sister. There are moments when it may appear that our prayers go unanswered. While there could be various reasons for this, let's consider one possible explanation from the verse mentioned. This verse conveys the positive principle that we ask and receive from God "because we keep [God's] commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight."

Conversely, we can infer that if we are not keeping His commandments or if our actions do not align with what pleases Him, we lack the biblical foundation to expect our requests to be granted. The key here is that we ask and receive "because" we "keep" and "do." This underscores the importance of our deeds, actions, conduct, and obedience to His commands in our relationship with God.

"Obedience to the Father's will is the bridge to God's kingdom; anything less falls short."

It's essential to recognize that we are indeed "saved by grace through faith... not by works" (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, it's equally crucial not to overlook the very next verse, Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works..." Our works do not save us or keep us saved, but they have a significant purpose.

As new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), we are designed "to do good works." Why are our works important to God? Not to obtain salvation, and not to maintain it, but because we are saved! As born-again children of God, we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10, NIV). Our works are an expression of our gratitude and obedience to God, not a means of earning or securing salvation.

Titus 1:16 (KJV) serves as a sobering reminder that mere professions of knowing God fall short if they are not backed by corresponding works. When our actions deny what we claim to believe, our faith lacks authenticity. The verse presents a stark reality: "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Indeed, the expression holds true: talk is cheap. It's effortless to speak at length about God and His Son, Jesus. This is "the talk." Yet, as the apostle Paul told Titus, some who engage in such talk exhibit a striking disparity in "the walk."

Paul's description of these professed believers is harsh; he states that they talk a good game but, through their works, they effectively deny God. He uses strong language, referring to them as abominable, disobedient, and reprobate. 

The words of Jesus in Luke 6:46 serve as a compelling reminder: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" It highlights the significance of aligning our words and actions, ensuring that our faith is not mere talk but genuine and obedient living. The passage from Matthew 7:21-23 serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of not just professing one's faith but living it out through obedient actions: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

What's striking here is that the mere profession of "Lord, Lord" and the display of spiritual gifts are not the ultimate criteria for judgment. As Jesus points out, there will be "many" who, on that fateful day, will refer to Him as "Lord" and list their works, including prophecy, casting out demons, and performing miracles.

However, Jesus doesn't directly address these acts. Instead, He responds with the stern words, "Away from me, you evildoers!" In Luke's account, He further questions, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"

"Calling Jesus 'Lord' is the first step; proving it through obedience is the journey."

This emphasizes the profound truth that genuine faith goes beyond words and gifts; it requires obedience and aligning one's life with God's will. It is a sobering reminder to not just talk the talk but, more importantly, to walk the walk by living in accordance with the teachings and will of the Lord. The message remains clear: we are indeed saved by grace through faith, not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

However, having received this gracious salvation, we are then called to be obedient doers of the Lord's commands as outlined in His Word. This obedience carries significant weight, particularly in the context of the Lord's coming: "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works" (Matthew 16:27, NKJV).

"The true currency of heaven isn't empty professions, but deeds that mirror the heart of Christ."

Regrettably, in certain segments of the American church, there seems to be a growing tolerance for carnal behavior and a leniency towards non-biblical conduct. Excuses, such as "Our church is not into a 'performance' mentality" or "We're not into a 'works' trip," are used to justify ungodly behavior. Some believers rationalize their carnality with statements like, "I'm saved, but I'm only human. God understands, it's 'all good.'" However, the truth is that it's not "all good."

Jesus' words in Luke 6:46 serve as a strong rebuke to those who profess Him as Lord but fail to live in obedience to His commands: "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"

Additionally, in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus makes it explicit that not everyone who calls Him "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father. Those who practice evil will be separated from Him. This emphasizes the critical importance of aligning our lives with the teachings and commands of Jesus, demonstrating our faith through obedience, and ensuring that our works reflect the character of Christ.

"Inaction in the face of Christ's teachings is a separation from His presence."

Amanda Allen

www.KingdomRevelations.com