My dad was always a cliché man. He had a cliché for everything – that’s how he imparted wisdom. Sadly, or perhaps quite endearing, was his ability to get the clichés slightly wrong.
One of his favourites was, “Hell is paid with good intentions.”
I have since learned that the actual idiom is, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”, but the meaning Dad imparted was the same: It doesn’t matter what you intend to do, what matters is what you do.
It’s not about what you say, what you think, or what you believe – it’s about what you do. Don’t tell me what you intended to do, just do it. “The proof is in the pudding.” Is another idiom he would use to hammer home the idea that it’s our behaviour that matters most.
Culturally, how we think and behave as a people is influenced by many factors – not the least of which are the ancient ideologies from which we have risen. In light of this it’s interesting to note the difference between a “Greek” mindset and a “Hebrew” mindset, and the influence each has on culture and how we live. The Hebrew mindset is a decidedly Biblical perspective, whereas the Greek mindset is largely reflected in worldly thinking.
Within the Greek mindset there is room to believe something and not necessarily do it – or do anything about it. A Greek mindset enables someone to justify believing something, but not doing anything about it. “Sure, I believe in God…”, but their life is no different from anyone else who doesn’t believe in God.
However, this is not the case in the Hebrew or biblical mindset. If you believe it, then you live it. Your actions demonstrate what you believe. This is really called integrity. If you are not living what you say you believe, then you don’t really believe it.
To believe is to do.
Jesus talked about this. He said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. If we say we are Christians, then our life needs to be marked by obedience to what Jesus has taught us. Belief equals obedience.
How will they know we are Jesus followers? By what we say? By what we believe? By what we pray? By where we go on Sundays? Nope, by our love. Love is not warm fuzzy feelings, it’s action: service, sacrifice, compassion and caring toward other people.
In other words, “love does” – as Bob Goff in his book “Love Does” so compellingly communicates.
What has Jesus commanded us to do? Love God, love people.
James also tells us that faith without deeds demonstrating our faith is useless. Or, as Clint Eastwood said the movie Pale Rider, “Faith without works ain’t worth spit.”
So what do your actions demonstrate? Is there a disparity between what you do and what you say you believe? Do you believe that your love for Jesus is best demonstrated by telling Him you love Him, or by obeying what He said? Are you actively loving other people as a means of demonstrating your devotion to Jesus?
I know, I know, there is always more we can do – I’m not talking about trying to earn God’s love or acceptance. I am simply saying it’s important for our faith to be active. For our devotion to be demonstrated. For our love to do.
If we say we believe it, then let’s do our best to do it. If we are not doing it, let’s ask the Lord to help us to do it and ask our band of brothers to keep us accountable to do it. Hey, none of us are perfect, but we can certainly do our best to “do” as an indication of what we believe.
The road to hell may or may not be paved with good intentions, but the road to life with Jesus is definitely paved with love – that is demonstrated. If we love Him, we will obey Him and love others.
John 14:15, 21A
“If you love me, keep my commands…Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.”
James 2:17,19
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead…You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”