Actions Do Speak Louder Than Words
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorizedIn the accounts found in Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26, we read of a paralytic being brought to Jesus. A multitude of people had gathered in Jesus’ house (Mark 2:1), because they had heard of Jesus’ ability to heal (Mark 1:21-37). When Jesus saw the multitude’s faith (cf. Mark 2:5; Luke 5:20), Jesus told the paralytic man, “Your sins are forgiven you” (Matthew 9:2). When the scribes and Pharisees inwardly accused Jesus of blasphemy (Matthew 9:3; Mark 2:6-7; Luke 5:21), He asked them this question:
“Which is easier, to say, “˜Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Arise and walk?” (Matthew 9:5).
The answer was obvious. It was easier to say that a man’s sins were forgiven, because that claim couldn’t be proven or disproven. But to say “Arise and walk” was a different story. When Jesus said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house” (Matthew 9:6), the actions of the man immediately getting up and walking to his house (cf. Mark 2:11-12; Matthew 9:7), provided the evidence of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.
Jesus’ actions supported His words and so should ours. John wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). What we say is significant to a watching world, only if it is consistent with what we do (James 1:22; cf. Matthew 7:12).
As we tell people about the saving gospel of Christ, our words will communicate more powerfully if they are verified by our acts of love and kindness toward them.
Yes, brethren and friends, actions do speak louder than words.