TODAY IS…

a good day to choose words over actions.

“But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.”  Psalm 38:18 NLT

We’ve all heard the expression “Actions speak louder than words.”

This is usually said when someone is talking about what a great job they can do. What it means is, “Don’t talk about it, do it! – Prove it by your actions, not by what you say.”

Our actions also speak loudly when we are doing the wrong thing.

Sometimes it becomes a good idea to stop our actions and choose the words carefully that we will use to ask God for forgiveness for our actions. Fortunately for us, God is always willing to offer forgiveness if we ask for it, and the Bible is full of help to find the words to do so.

Forgiveness is available to all who are sorry for their sins and are willing to repent. Christ, Himself, made this abundantly clear.

“It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’” (Luke 24:27 NLT).

Some of us have a difficult time with the entire concept of forgiveness. Perhaps this is so because we have a difficult time forgiving others. This is something that needs to be addressed, for God’s only condition for our forgiveness, besides repentance, is that we forgive others as well for sins they have committed against us.

“But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14 NIV).

Do not doubt for one moment the Lord’s willingness, or capacity, for forgiveness.

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You.” (Psalm 86:5 NASB).

In today’s world, the message almost seems to be that if one wants to be noticed, he or she must be a “bad boy” or a “bad girl.” The actions of many of these individuals are held up before us as being acceptable in the eyes of man, which may be very true. But quite often, the actions which society glorifies and rewards are not acceptable in the eyes of God.

We should all strive to do things that are righteous in the eyes of God. Our actions should speak louder than our words when it comes to reaching out to those less fortunate than ourselves, when helping to collect food or clothing for those who don’t have adequate supplies of either, or when assisting groups that build homes or provide shelter for those who need it.

These actions speak loudly, and if they are yours, then keep ‘talking.’

But if your actions are not right in the eyes of God, then choose words instead and ask the Lord for His forgiveness.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson