Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

"Don't fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like."¹

"Mirror, mirror on the wall ... lie to me!" Don't we sometimes wish?

Either fortunately or unfortunately, mirrors don't lie, unless, of course, the mirror is distorted. If so, its reflection will also be distorted. And if I am not true to my word and do what I say I am going to do, there is something distorted within me. As the old saying goes, "Talk is cheap." Keeping one's word and promises is a character trait to be highly valued. It is being authentic and maintaining integrity.

Unfortunately, it seems that keeping one's word for many doesn't amount to too much anymore. Sadly, a person who doesn't keep his word or his promises can't be relied upon. Neither can he be trusted. And a person who claims to be a Christian and doesn't genuinely and consistently seek to keep and obey God's Word can't be relied on either. Perhaps not trusted either?

As James said, "Don't fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does."²

If we are mature, we will act in a mature fashion. If we are responsible, we will act in a responsible manner. And if we are sincere and genuine, we will act accordingly and be known as men and women whose word is their bond.

     For after all â€"
     It's what we do
     Not what we say â€"
     That says the most of all.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be a man/woman of my word and, with Your help, one who seeks to obey Your word. Always. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's Name. Amen."

1. James 1:22â€"24 (TLB).
2. James 1:22â€"25 (TLB).

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