Plan for Action

 

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.. Luke 12:35

“A man’s reputation is not built on what he plans to do.” (A post on Facebook.)

It seems that ever since reading that on Facebook, and having it sound so right, I have been reminded of how often the Bible requires action.

James probably makes it the clearest when he says, “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  (James 1:25)

In effect, isn’t James saying, “A Christian’s fruit is not judged by what he plans to do, but by what he actually does?”

So, if we know the Word of God and do not live by it – we are deceiving ourselves into believing that we have a relationship with the Lord that will save us. But, Jesus said that you will know a Christian by the fruit they bear in this life (Matthew 7:16) – not by the plans they make to bear the fruit. Even non-Christians know that, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Some Christians seem to be willing to tell you they will do something that they then fail to do. It seems that maybe they plan to do it, or are they saying what you want to hear so you will stop asking, at least until you realize it isn’t done?

Sometimes we will tell others a plan, fully intending to carry it out, but we get waylaid.  Were we stating our dreams, presenting them as a plan rather than an idea? Are we making a promise or a proposal? It is important to know what we’re communicating, if we want our “yes” to be “yes” and our “no” to be “no.” (James 5:12)

Sometimes our talk about our plans is sinful because we want people to think more of us, that we are ambitious and godly. How does that work out when they realize we have no intention of carrying out the plan?

It’s a slippery slope to say we will do something and not do it. It’s worse if we know it’s what we are to do before God, and we don’t do it.

Am I expecting too much when someone, especially a brother or sister in the Lord, tells me he or she will do something, and I expect them to do it?

Whenever I ask that kind of question I see what my dear friend always sees, one finger points at others while three more are pointing back at me. Am I always following through on what I tell others I will do? If I don’t, I sure hope you’ll point it out to me, so I can make that wrong into a right. You will not be expecting too much of me if you do.

It’s ok to plan, to propose, to dream, and to strategize….but, at some point James reminds us – we need to plan for action.  What is it for you?