by Elizabeth Haarberg

Translating God’s Word into Action

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

When you see a Christian do you recognize them by their clothes? Or their hairstyle? Not usually.

So, how does the world recognize that Christians are different? How do Christians know who other Christians are?

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son.If you ask Me anything in My name[as My representative], I will do it. If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.”
John 14:12-17

To sum up the verses above:

1.) Jesus says we will do the things He did while on Earth and even more.

2.) Jesus wants a relationship with us and wants us to ask for what we need out of that relationship.

3.) We give glory to God through Jesus answering our prayers.

4.) Out of the relationship with Jesus we will keep the commandments.

5.) The Holy Spirit is in us for guidance, power, strength, and more.

Will Christians fall and mess up? Of course. We haven’t arrived in heaven yet. But these verses encourage us that if we are doing the things described above, we will become more like Jesus. We should actually practice what is taught, not just read the words on a page.

What a great asset to have a ‘text book’ on how to walk the Christian life. As our brain absorbs the information, our hearts are able to translate and put into action the words that we’ve read.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado