Have you ever noticed the expression on a child's face when he learns to do something all by himself? It's absolutely radiant! It also illustrates an important lesson we sometimes forget in adulthood: doing things—instead of merely talking about them—unites the joy of discovery with the satisfaction of accomplishment.
Talking about spiritual concepts is no substitute for living and demonstrating the practicality of spiritual truths that our words express. Even the simplest of Christlike deeds can have a more immediate impact on our world than volumes of words. In James we read, "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead...." And, in the following verse, "Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." James 2:17, 18.
One of the reasons the fledgling Christian Church grew so rapidly was that Christ Jesus' followers accepted and acted upon his expectation that they do his works, not merely listen to his words. "He that believeth on me," Jesus said, "the works that I do shall he do also." John 14:12. And the "works" of Peter, John, Paul, and other apostles, which are in the New Testament book so appropriately called "The Acts of the Apostles," were in keeping with those of Jesus. The healing of the lame man at the temple, Peter's release from prison, the raising of Tabitha, the multiple healings by Paul on the island of Melita, were acts of Christian living that provided undeniable verification of the apostles' words. The deeds made the words irrefutable.
