By Jackie Ricks
“You may be the only Bible someone reads.” “Actions speak louder than words.
Sometimes we hear these things and take them a little too literally. At least, I know I do. For years, I knew I was saved, and I tried to live as best as I could, so I thought my example was enough to show the world that they all need Jesus. Then several years ago, someone said, “If
you never explain that you are only able to live that way because of Jesus and what He did for you, then the world just thinks you’re a goody two shoes and can’t see Jesus in you.” That was
like having ice water thrown in my face. It woke me up; however, I still forget sometimes.
Sometimes we hear these things and take them a little too literally. At least, I know I do. For years, I knew I was saved, and I tried to live as best as I could, so I thought my example was enough to show the world that they all need Jesus. Then several years ago, someone said, “If
you never explain that you are only able to live that way because of Jesus and what He did for you, then the world just thinks you’re a goody two shoes and can’t see Jesus in you.” That was
like having ice water thrown in my face. It woke me up; however, I still forget sometimes.
So, what does that mean we should do? Even if you don’t know how to witness to
others, you can still tell them that what happens is not by accident nor is it because of
something that you personally did. I realized recently that I was not doing that in one area of
my life. I’ve been trying to lose weight. It’s a long process with the results going up and down or
hitting a plateau periodically. Then when 2025 began, the TOPS group where I’m a member had
a contest. I consistently lost weight every week for the first two months. Did I give the glory to
God? Well, I thanked Him daily when I weighed myself and asked Him to help me. However,
when I said anything to anyone else, I would tell them how I had lost weight every week. I never
once said, “God has helped me lose weight every week.”
Many of us make the mistake of either saying that coincidence or luck caused certain
things to turn out for the best in our lives. There really is no such thing. God is in control of
everything except our decisions. And He can change what happens depending on those
decisions. Therefore, we can’t take credit for anything good that happens in our lives. Jesus
Himself told the rich, young ruler that no one is good except God (Luke 18:18-19).
What does the Bible tell us? It tells us that our good deeds are not to be done for others
to look at us and praise us. See Matthew 6:1-4. We also don’t do them so that God will bless us,
but that is a result of our actions when we do them with the right spirit. Matthew 5:14-16
explains that we are to be His light in the world to guide others to Jesus Christ. However, we are
always to glorify Him, not ourselves.
Therefore, when someone tells us that we have such beautiful voices or we’re gifted
teachers or we make faithful prayer partners or whatever the compliment might be, we should
remember to give God the honor and glory for His faithfulness in giving us the talents and gifts
that we need to do His work. We just might start a conversation that could lead to a better
understanding of God and His work in the world. Whether the other person is an unbeliever or
not, our comments pointing them to God could make a positive impact. Besides possibly
leading someone to the Lord, it could result in someone realizing that he or she should also
remember to give the credit to God, where it belongs. It would be good to memorize 1
Corinthians 10:31 and repeat it daily, “Whether, therefore, ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do,
do all to the glory of God.” Then let God take that and use it build His kingdom.
do all to the glory of God.” Then let God take that and use it build His kingdom.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:14-16; 6:1-4; Luke 18:18-19; 1 Corinthians 10:31
PRAYER: “Lord, please help me to remember to give You the credit for all the good in my life
and to let others know that there’s nothing I could have done to improve my life. You did it all
and continue to bless me in spite of myself. Thank You, Lord, for all my blessings. May I always
remember to give you the honor and glory that only You deserve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
RESPONSE: Make an effort today to recognize God for what He’s done in your life. Then try
every day to do it again until you can remember to give Him the glory for everything good in your life.