Examined Actions

Examined Actions

“A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go. Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning. Matthew 21:28-31

In sports, talk is cheap. It’s not what you say that determines if you will be a champion or an also-ran. It’s what you do on the field that counts. The same is true spiritually. What reflects your heart more to God—your words or your actions? Anyone can say the right thing. But it’s the person who puts it into practice who pleases God.

In Jesus’ parable, the second son had the right response when his father told him to go work in the vineyard, but he disobeyed his father by not following through. It was just the opposite with the first son. Even though he had started out badly by refusing to go, he eventually obeyed his father.

Usually we view verses like this as being about our faith and how we demonstrate the way our relationship with Christ has changed our lives, which is an accurate way to view them.

I also think it shows the way we need to model our lives for others. We’ve all heard that we should “walk the talk,” but do we actively try to live that, knowing others are watching?

When he first started his law career, Nathan clerked for a US district judge. Judge Hodges had been given a cell phone by the government, and each month Nathan watched the judge review his cell phone bill for personal calls. Inevitably, Judge Hodges would write a check to the United States, reimbursing the taxpayers for those personal calls. The judge never commented on the procedure to Nathan, but his clerk saw it in action.

Finally Nathan asked Judge Hodges about it. “Judge, isn’t it because of your job that you even need to make personal phone calls?”

“That may be true, Mr. Whitaker,” the judge replied, “but sometimes it’s the appearance of impropriety that matters most. I think I should be paying for my personal calls whether that’s actually correct or not. Following that course will never lead to criticism of me or my position. Plus, it’s the right thing to do.”

Uncommon Key > How are you demonstrating the principles that God has placed in your heart? How can you do even better in that area? Keep in mind that people are watching, whether you know it or not.