For 2 decades, ecologist Mike Hands has worked to
help farmers in Central America adopt more effective methods of growing their
crops. It’s difficult, however, for them to abandon their long tradition of
“slash and burn” agriculture, even though they know it destroys the soil and
pollutes the air.
So instead of merely talking to them, Mike shows
them a better way. In the documentary film Up in Smoke, he says: “It has
to be demonstrated. You cannot preach it. You can’t describe it. People have
got to be able to get their hands on it and see it.”
Paul took a similar approach to sharing the gospel
of Jesus Christ. He wrote to the believers in Corinth, “My speech and my
preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration
of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men
but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:4-5). Later in his letter, Paul told them
again, “The kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (4:20).
As you live each day, ask God to help you accompany
your words with actions. When we allow God to show Himself through us, it’s a
powerful demonstration of His grace and love.
Our words need actions behind them. (RBC)
