Children’s Lesson 13

DON’T JUSY SAY IT, DO IT

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What you are DOING speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you are SAYING.” In a way, Emerson was saying that actions speak louder than words. 

James 1:22-24 says But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  For if you listen to the word and don’t obey it, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.  You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

James is saying that when we read or hear the Words of God, the Bible, we should live them.  Actions are what God’s word requires.   Sometimes it’s DOING something, sometimes it’s to NOT do something so that we can live God’s words.

What are some scriptures that require us to DO something?

Honor your father and mother.   Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.  Be kind to one another, compassionate and forgiving one another.

What are some scriptures that require us to NOT DO something?  Thou shall not lie.  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  Thou shall not steal.

Once we are saved, we begin a lifetime of learning to live like Jesus. It should change our lives and actions!

Our instruction book is the Bible. It’s where God will speak to us. It’s where He will encourage and strengthen us. It’s the blueprint for our lives.  It’s the ultimate playbook! It’s where we learn Jesus’ game plan for our lives. It’s not just learning the things we should not do, but also the things we should do.

Every day we should become more like Jesus.  We learn how to do this not only by reading God’s Words, but sometimes by living through some circumstances in our lives.  Sometimes God will allow something to happen in your life that He wants to use to build your character or faith… to make you more like Jesus.

James 1:2-4, in summary, tells us to Count it all joy, my fellow Christians, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces strong character.  And let strong character have its full effect, that you may be mature and complete, needing nothing to grow more like Jesus.

The path of life isn’t always an easy path to walk. It’s filled with all kinds of trials; like sickness and disease, accidents, disappointments and sufferings.  When we trust Christ in our trials, we become a living witness to all those who see us and as we mature, we can handle the next trial a little easier as well as help others who may have the same trials in their lives.

Can people tell by watching your life and actions that you love Jesus?  Can people tell that you are not the same as everyone else?

When you SAY that you are a Christian, do your actions drown out your words? Are you ready to let your actions SPEAK of the love of Christ?

God’s words tell us how to LIVE more like Jesus…Christ like…Christian.   What we LIVE will speak louder than any words we can say to people. 

Go to Romans Road to Salvation and/or Prayer of Rededication