A Walking Bible

By: Joseph Murdy
Saint Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel always, use words when necessary.” I hope that it goes without saying, words are important. What we say can really raise people up, or bring people down. Throughout history words have been described as sharp, much like a sword. Words can be weapons or they can influence they way we preserve the world and those around us and bring about peace.

More important than words, is our actions. Our actions; pardon the pun, speak louder than words. For blessed Francis the Gospel was being preached in words only. The majority of leaders in his day (11th Century) were preaching one thing and doing another. Their message of the Gospel was falling on deaf ears. For Saint Francis preaching the Gospel was essential. However, he encourages us to act it out more often.

Do your words reflect your actions? Think about it. Does what you say mirror how you act around other people? We have a great BIG problem in the church today. Often people speak and act one way in church and act completely different in their lives at home, the grocery store, or at wal-mart. We are all guilty of bad tempers, prejudices, and materialistic. Thankfully, that is all behind us. My friends, we are CHRISTIANS. Baptized Disciples of Christ, whose very name we call our own. We must begin to speak AND act like Christians.

There are those who say, “We are often the only Bible some people will ever read.” If this is true, let us begin to show them what our pages really say.