Showing what you believe by what you do.

by Matt Slick

If someone were to spend some time with you, what do you think that person would conclude about your Christian faith? Would he be able to easily see your Christianity clearly, or would he barely recognize it in you?

All a person has to do is look at your actions to see what you believe – not what you don’t believe. Do you keep silent about the gospel? If so, then someone might conclude that you believe it isn’t powerful and important enough to be told to others, or that you are afraid to tell people about it.

Do you shy away from speaking the gospel to people because they might be offended? Then perhaps you believe that a person’s feelings are more important than hearing the gospel message that can save them from eternal damnation.

You see, what you believe, what you fear, what you expect, all directly affect what you do.

Are you afraid of preaching the gospel? Are you worried you might offend someone? Are you embarrassed by the idea that Jesus is God in flesh who died and rose from the dead? Or are you confident in God’s word, in the gospel of Christ, and don’t mind sharing it whenever possible?

Whichever is the case one thing is for sure, we behave according to what we believe, not according to what we don't believe. So, as you take an assessment of your actions, or your lack of actions, this will tell you what you really believe. Remember, beliefs and actions should correspond. If they don’t, then it reveals hypocrisy.

Let me ask you - do you actually, honestly, really believe that the word of God is powerful? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God in flesh, who died on the cross and rose from the dead? Do you believe everyone needs to hear the saving message of the Sacrifice of Christ by which people can escape the righteous judgment of an infinitely holy God?

If so, is that belief manifested in your life, and what actions do you take to express it? 

Ask yourself, is what you believe consistent with what you do? If not, you will need to change one or the other.