Show, Don't Tell part 2
There's a big difference between showing and telling. Even to the point that after Jesus told us what the greatest expression of love that a man can have is--laying his life down for his friends--He went to the cross and did just that. he didn't just tell us... He showed us. He put His money where His mouth is. And that's why it is so important that we be a witness to Him. Not just telling people what we've "learned" (head knowledge), but SHOWING people what we've experience (heart knowledge). Giving what we've got. Showing people who God is by showing them what love is. Look at Isaiah 43:21, "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise." A lot of the other translations of this verse say "declare my praise." But I like the phrase "shew forth." Or show forth, you know, for those of us not great with the king's English. And the reason I like that so much is exactly what we've been talking about. Letting what's inside come out. Showing people what we have by giving them what we have. Receiving and releasing the love of God! And, while we're on the subject, I want to point out that praise is not about getting someone to do something. You don't "praise" God in order to try to get Him to move. First of all, that's not praise. You praise someone for what they've done, not for what you want them to do. And second of all, God did what He's going to do. On the cross Jesus cried out, "It is finished." And I think He meant... it is finished. On the cross Jesus fought--and won--the war to end all wars. When He rose again from the dead and defeated death (the last enemy), He brought us into a realm and a dimension of eternal life. Life without beginning or end. Life so radically different from what we had known and understood that even to this day we don't seem to fully know or understand it. Everybody only wants to talk about the "afterlife." But if life doesn't end... how could there be an "after"? But I did a whole podcast episode about that, and I don't want to rehash it here. What I want to talk about here is how much more powerful it is to show than tell. Anybody can say anything. And if that's not a timely word in this age of social media, I don't know what is. What you say doesn't matter as much as what you do. And, listen, I'm not saying what you say doesn't matter. It does. Actions--and words--have consequences. The power of life and death is in the tongue. Where the word of the king is, there is power. We are kings and priests equipped and empowered to rule and reign on this earth. Our words matter. What we say matters. The point I'm trying to illustrate is that a picture is worth a thousand words. I'm trying to help us see that when we put our words into action... that's when they REALLY mean something. That's where the rubber meets the road. That's where we can really make a difference. Look at James 2:15-16 (NLT), "Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"--but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?" In certain situations words can make all the difference. In most situations... you have to put your money where your mouth is. Don't just say what sounds good. DO what needs to be done. Show people who God is by showing them what love is. Show them that love is giving... by giving! Give them what you've got. Give them what they need. Telling someone you love them is great. Showing them what that means by giving them everything you have and everything you are is something else entirely!