BY OUR DEEDS
One night a clergyman was walking to church when a thief pulled a gun on
him and demanded his money or his life. When he reached in his pocket to hand
over his wallet, the robber saw his clerical collar and said: “I see you are a
priest. Never mind, you can go.” The clergyman, surprised by the robber’s
unexpected act of piety, offered him a candy bar. The robber said, “No thank
you. I don’t eat candy during Lent.”
The man had given up candy as a supposed sacrifice for Lent, but his
lifestyle of stealing showed his real character! According to the writer of
Proverbs, conduct is the best indicator of character. If someone says he is a
godly person, his words can only be proven by consistent actions (20:11). This
was true of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day as well. He condemned the
Pharisees and exposed their sham for professing godliness but denying that
profession with sin in their lives (Matt. 23:13-36). Appearances and words are
deceiving; behavior is the best judge of character. This applies to all
of us.
As followers of Jesus, we demonstrate our love for Him by what we do,
not just by what we say. May our devotion to God, because of His love for us,
be revealed in our actions today.
Conduct is the best proof of character. (RBC)
