2 Corinthians 10:11, New International Version

“Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.”

It is amazing to me how you can read something and it sticks with you. It's food for thought that makes you reflect on your own life, the things you have said, the things you have done. I was reading in 2 Corinthians 10:11 (NIV) when Paul said, “Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.” This made me stop and ask myself, “If my life were a letter, what would it say?” Would it reflect Christ and what He taught when He was on earth during His three years of ministry? Would my life have a positive impact on other people, making a difference for them in their journey? Do my words match my actions or does what I say conflict with what my actions are saying?

These, I believe, are all important questions to ask ourselves and to think about.  Perhaps there are things in us that we need to allow God our Father to work on.   James 1:22-25 (NIV) says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

Are we lacking freedom somewhere in our lives? Is there something we are struggling with? Is there something in our life that presents a challenge that makes us not look forward to the moment coming? Then perhaps we need to take a look at ourselves, our actions, and what we are saying versus what we are doing. What does the Bible say to do? And if we believe what the Bible says, are we doing what the Bible says?  According to this scripture in James, it is the perfect law that brings freedom and will bless us. But we cannot continue to live our lives contradicting the Word of God and expect to have peace and blessings in our lives. How does that help another brother or sister if they hear us say one thing but live our lives another way?

Sometimes it takes courage to live according to the truth. The world looks on and considers us foolish. But do you know what the Bible says? 1 Corinthians 1:27-30 (NIV): “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” We were never meant to blend in with the world, but to stand out. The world should recognize something different about us because we are set apart. We shouldn’t be afraid to be “different.” We may be the only Jesus that someone sees or hears. So it is important for us to know that if our life were a letter, what would it say? Would our words match our actions? Would it reflect Christ’s love, compassion, kindness, and forgiveness? I encourage us all to do self-reflection and make sure that we are truly living for Christ. For if we are steadfastly looking into the perfect law that sets us free and doing what it says, we will be blessed and the people we encounter will receive blessings.