As a preacher of the Word, I have had to be very careful not to ever preach a sermon sharing how we, as Christians, are expected to live without trying to truly live it myself as well! If I didn’t it would leave me open to the judgment of others who have much difficulty trying to see their preacher living what he preach.

Still, if the preacher only preaches what he/she is able to live, most of their sermons would most likely be empty, with nothing in them to lift or inspire. Whenever I have been inspired to preach a solid sermon with many examples of how we are to live, I usually say that this sermon is for me as much as it is to any of you as a guide for us to live by. We all have to attempt to live what it is we honestly believe, so that our words have content, that they are not just simply empty. If I only preached what I personally try to live, it would probably be the shortest sermon that ever came out of my computer.

Now I know that not everyone has to preach a sermon, but all of us have to live what it is we believe, or at least give it our best shot. I think we all know what this is saying, we do need to live the faith we confess. James says it so well; “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” James 2:17. I had a saying which I often used to remind myself and others; “if you can’t do it, don’t say it!” Now God knows that none of us can live completely what it is we believe, but as long as we sincerely try and we give it our best effort, I do feel that God will accept it and inspire us to grow in our faith and ability.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, our maker and keeper, it is not what we say, but it is what we live, that keeps us close. Thank You Lord, for giving us Your Son, Jesus, who has shown us in the way He lived as the way we are to live. Amen.