Session 3

What happens when act on what we know

From Colossians: A 28-Day Devotional

We’ve all met people whose actions don’t align with what they say they believe. Knowing stories and verses from the Bible isn’t nearly as impactful as doing what God’s Word says.

For knowledge to make a difference, we have to put it into practice. The same way a coach doesn’t see the effectiveness of a game plan until the team starts playing, we’ll never know how much we know about God until we get in the game. When we take steps of faith, we discover how much we know as well as how much we don’t yet understand.

For example, we know we’re called to serve, but until we start serving, we won’t fully understand how serving draws us closer to God (1 Peter 4:10). We know we’re to forgive, but until we do the hard work of forgiving, we won’t understand how freeing it is to let go of the past (Ephesians 4:32). We know God wants us to put Him first in our finances, but until we do, we’ll never really understand how greatly God provides (Malachi 3:8-12).

Knowing something in principle and seeing it in practice are vastly different things. One makes us sound good; the other allows us to experience all the ways God is good.

When we live what we believe, our lives honor and please the Lord. Like a good dad, He loves seeing His kids grow into maturity and make wise choices. And it begins to shift our relationship with Him! (Colossians 1:10 says, "All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better" (NLT).

God wants us to have full of wisdom and understanding of His goodness. So keep listening, keep obeying, and keep seeking. "He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light" (Colossians 1:12, NLT).

Reflect:

• What’s one thing you know the Bible calls you to, but you’ve yet to do?
• When’s the last time you took a leap of faith? Ask God to give you an opportunity today that will stretch your faith and show you something new about Him.