DO AS I SAY: Goodbook 02-20-12

Goodbook messages arrive every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a Scripture reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our lives. We are reading through the book of Acts. For additional Scripture reading, you can follow the Advanced Track.

Reading: Acts 16:3-4 (Advanced Track: Judges 16-21)

³ Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.

Application:

Did anyone ever tell you, “Do as I say, not as I do?”  Did it bug you?  I remember my parents used to tell me I needed to go to bed at 9 o’clock.  But then they stayed up and watched TV.  Not fair!  Of course they had their reasons, but as a child I was bothered by the disconnect between what they said and what they did.

In our reading for today there is a disconnect between Paul’s words and his actions.  If you’ve been reading along with us, you’ll remember that Paul is taking a message to non-Jewish communities of faith.  There had been a big debate about whether the non-Jewish believers had to follow Jewish customs, like circumcision, in order to follow Jesus.  The answer was a resounding “no.”  The leaders of the church affirmed that we are saved by grace, and that circumcision was not a requirement for salvation or for following Jesus. 

Paul was chosen to deliver this message.  Paul chose Timothy (a non-Jewish person) to join him on the journey.  And the very first thing Paul does is circumcise Timothy.  Now I understand Paul had his reasons.  Many of the Jewish people were not major supporters of this new initiative.  Paul knew his efforts would be more effective and gain more support with the Jewish people if he had Timothy circumcised.  Nevertheless, we’d have to say his words and his actions didn’t line up.  Can you imagine how painful this must have been for Timothy?  Can you imagine how the non-Jewish churches might have received Paul’s message after learning that he just circumcised Timothy?

How about our words and actions?  One critique of Christians is that we are hypocrites – we say one thing and do another.  I have to admit that I am guilty of this at times.  What I preach in church and how I act in the mall parking lot don’t always line up.  This disconnect hurts others and hurts our witness.  I do not want to be that kind of person.  I want to live what I believe.  When people look at me, I want them to hear and see the grace, love, compassion, forgiveness, welcome, and generosity of our God and Savior.

1) Do as you say.  Live what you believe.

Comment with your thoughts, questions, and ideas about how to apply this…