1 John 3:18
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
I once conducted a Committal Service for a decorated navy veteran. My wife Joyce accompanied me on the trip and I parked the car where she could observe the service. She was also able to view behind the decorated retaining wall.
It was inspiring to have four military personnel standing at parade rest while I recited Scripture and made spiritual application about the reality of eternity. The military concluded their portion of the service by presenting the flag to the widow, and then marched in unison behind a wall.
As Joyce and I drove away, she reflected on what she had seen from her vantage point. The military detail had been so polished and regimented during the ceremony, but after they went behind the wall, a change took place. She watched as the stiff formality dissolved into casual laughter and gestures of relief.
Before we say anything about these brave, young service personnel, let us stop and consider our spiritual behavior. How many times have we put on a facade of piousness that was not exactly true? If we face ourselves in God’s mirror of truth—the Bible—what would we see? There are always people watching the way we live!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil