Faith, first, and obedience will follow

For they preach but they do not practice. (Matthew 23:3)



How often have we found ourselves in the position of having to say, "Do as I say, not as I do." We may not say it aloud, but think how many times you've given advice that you wish you could follow!


When we make up elaborate dance-steps and call them faith, we are inviting people to fail. When we say that in order to have faith you must toe this doctrinal line or that traditional line - - what nonsense! It is faith that allows us to embrace the doctrines, not exclusively the other way around. (It is true that the truth of a doctrine can also open the eyes to faith--but that is not the necessary way.)

Jesus tells us that Mary has done the one thing necessary. That is, she sat at His feet and listened as He spoke. This is the doctrine, this is the teaching we should be sharing. Certainly, we share the sum of our faith, gently and as a person is capable of handling it. We correct errors in thought - - but to do so, we must understand both the error and the corrective measure. If we do not, we stand to make life miserable for those around us. When we insist on doctrine without truly understanding it, we are imposing a burden that can crush the spirit. Because the truth is, that once one has grasped faith and believes, doctrines all, in time, fall in place - - there is no reason to insist upon anything because its truth is made known by the faith that we practice.

So rather than preaching and not doing, let’s love and preach by example. Let us help the brother or sister who is struggling - - let’s be like Simon of Cyrene - - shouldering what portion of their own crosses God has made us capable of bearing for them. And so, lightening their burden, let us guide our struggling brothers and sisters home - - to the center of faith and belief, where all things can become known and make sense.