Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. (1 John 3:7)
Expanded Passage: 1 John 3:7
My four-year-old daughter Nora went to the county fair to see the prize cow that a family friend was showing. She saw how the cow was being gently brushed and lovingly cleaned before judging and remarked, “Someday I’m going to be a real cow farmer!” Not ten seconds later, another participant was walking an even bigger cow back to its pen when it vocalized a loud and thunderous “MOO!” Poor Nora jumped and screamed and ran away as fast as she could!
What we say we want to do, or would do, or would hope to do means very little in comparison to what we actually do. We must be careful to walk in the footsteps of spiritual guides who have proven their righteousness by doing what is right. Our actions prove who we really are and they speak louder than our words can. When we let the grace of God inhabit us through obeying and living out the words of Jesus, our actions truly can line up with the words of righteousness he speaks over us.
Don’t be fooled by those who say they are something that they’re not—and don’t let that be you. Instead, rely on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to work his righteousness through your life, so that others might see Jesus in you.
Let your actions speak righteousness.
Chris McFadden is pastor of Cherry Street Wesleyan in Ottawa, Kansas. He is married to his beautiful wife Suzanne and has two wonderful daughters.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
