Learn about Action And Reaction In The Bible. Behold, our actions speak. In fact, our actions speak louder than our words. Thus, our works are words. The question is what are they saying? Are our actions in line with what we believe and speak with our mouths? The old adage, “actions speak louder than words,” is true because, as another adage says, “words are cheap.” Therefore, when it comes to our faith if our words and actions are saying different things we must look to our actions for the truth. This is what Apostle James encourages us to do in James 2:18, and equally what the Apostle John essentially tells us in 1 John 3:18. Likewise, Jesus Christ says this in John 10, where once again Jesus Christ had proclaimed Himself to be God (John 10:27–30), and once again the Jews picked up stones (John 10:31).
In John 10:32, Jesus asked the Jews a revealing question: “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” They said they didn’t want to stone Him for His works but for His words (John 10:33). So, Jesus replied saying, “If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me [i.e. my words]; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, …” (John 10:37–38). Jesus was saying that His works are also words. Jesus had said this earlier in the conversation: “[The] Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me.’” (John 10:24–25).
Action And Reaction In The Bible
Behold, the Bible says a lot about actions. Jesus Christ, the God-Man, lived His earthly life in perfect integrity. His words and works were always saying the same thing. He was the incarnate Word of God (John 1:1, 14) who always did what was pleasing to the Father (John 8:29). Being “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus Christ showed us how faith works. His trust in the Father was constantly being proclaimed through the things He did. His thoughts, words, and actions were in line with His Father’s Sovereign Will. Faith, by its very nature, produces action. Behold, it’s intrinsic. Each of us is wired to feel and act in accordance with what we believe to be true. We cannot help it. This is a universal human phenomenon.
Every human being lives by faith. The atheist who says he doesn’t go for that faith nonsense probably because he believes in science has a category of confusion. What such a person really means is that he/she puts his/her faith in hypotheses advanced by non-religious scientists with regard to the origin of the universe and questions of ultimate meaning. Since these are things he/she cannot scientifically verify, and which he/she largely learned from others who he/she considers authoritative, he/she too has a “conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). None of us can help working out his/her faith. We cannot help doing what we believe. It is for this reason that Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Likewise, Apostle Paul defined his mission as bringing about “the obedience of faith” among the Gentiles (Romans 1:5).
What Are Your Actions Saying?
Brethren, if we want to know what we really believe, we must look at our actions. For sinful humans whose selfish pride so frequently grabs for control of our tongue, the words of our mouth can be unreliable. But the words of our works speak with a powerful, and sometimes painful, eloquence about what we believe. What are your actions saying about you? What do you do when you are alone? How do you react when you are disappointed or challenged? Also, how willing are you to serve obscurely? These are exposing and convicting questions. Behold, Jesus Christ had perfect consistency between His words and actions. None of the rest of us has this yet. However, as Christians, it’s our duty to follow in the footsteps of Christ our Savior. Our works reveal where our faith is. Jesus told us that a “tree is known by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33).
Do Actions Really Speak Louder Than Words?
The phrase “actions speak louder than words” has a rich and lengthy history. As a matter of fact, it has become a modern-day proverb. However, those exact words are not found in the Bible, so, is the proverb true? Do actions really speak louder than words? The answer is both yes and no. To reveal the view from both sides we will look at the history of the proverb, what the Bible has to say about actions and words, and what really matters to God. The origin of the proverb “actions speak louder than words” dates all the way back to the 1550s. It began with different wording and has changed throughout time. This phrase was first recorded by a French writer named Michel de Montaigne. His exact words were “Saying is one thing and doing is another.“
Over a century later (1628), an Englishman named J. Pym wrote a variation of the proverb: “A word spoken in season is like an Apple of Gold set in Pictures of Silver, and actions are more precious than words.” Another century passed before A.M. Davis penned another variation in 1736. He wrote in a letter titled “Melancholy State of Province” in Colonial Currency: “Actions speak louder than words and are more to be regarded.” Mark Twain (1835 – 1910) penned down his own version as well. He puts it like this: “Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.” Behold, all these forms of the proverb illustrate a stark difference between words and actions, giving weight to actions.
What The Bible Says About “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”
The Bible says much about actions and words. In Matthew 21, Jesus Christ uses a story to illustrate how actions speak louder than words. Jesus’ story is about two sons whose father told them to go and work in his vineyard. One said no, he would not go. The other said yes. However, the one who said no changed his mind and went to work, and the one who had said yes, did not go. Jesus Christ ends the story with a revealing question, “Which of the two did the will of his father?” Truthfully speaking, the son who said yes but did not follow through failed to love and honor his father. Apostle John puts it this way: “My little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18).
In the same light, Titus delivers a stern word about actions that contradict what is said: “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him” (Titus 1:16). This is referred to as hypocrisy (behavior that contradicts what a person claims to believe). Hypocrisy has a spell that repels. “Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Apostle James addresses this “words and actions thing” by connecting it to faith because it takes faith to obey God, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without actions is also dead” (James 2:26). A look at these Scriptures makes us understand how our actions sometimes betray us.
What Matters Most To God?
Brethren, going through what we’ve written so far may sound as if actions are the end-all, but that isn’t true. Consider the words of Jesus Christ regarding a certain widow’s actions and others who had the same “action.” Mark 12:41-44 says, Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on”
In this case, we see that both gave offerings but instead of the action being the focus, Jesus saw into the widow’s heart in confirmation with the Scripture that says, “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Brethren, let the love of God and that of our neighbors lead in everything that we do. Apostle Paul says in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” In the same light, 1 John3:17-18 says, “If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion — how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
Action And Reaction In The Bible
Titus 1:16 – “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.“
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.“
1 John 3:18 – “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.“
1 Peter 1:13 – “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.“
1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.“
Group 1 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Titus 1:16 – “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
James 2:18 – “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.“
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.“
James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.“
James 2:14-18 – “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.“
Group 2 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Luke 6:37-38 – “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.“
2 Peter 1:5-8 – “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Group 3 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
James 2:26 – “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
James 4:17 – “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
James 1:23-25 -“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 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.“
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 6:10-18 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, …“
Group 4 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
1 John 2:2 – “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
James 2:14-17 – “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.“
1 John 1:8 – “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …“
Group 5 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
Galatians 6:1-2 – “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.“
Luke 6:45 – “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Numbers 32:23 – “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.”
James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
1 Timothy 6:12 – “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,“
Group 6 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Psalm 119:60 – “I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.”
Isaiah 3:10 – “Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.”
2 Chronicles 31:21 – “And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.“
Ezra 10:4 – “Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.”
Matthew 15:8-9 – “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Acts 2:1-47 – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. …“
Group 7 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
1 John 2:1 – “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.“
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …“
1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
1 Timothy 6:18-19 – “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.“
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
Group 8 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Romans 14:12 – “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 – “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 – “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. …“
Group 9 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.“
Ezekiel 33:31 – “And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.“
Isaiah 29:13 – “And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,”
Matthew 25:34 – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Luke 11:9 – “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Matthew 21:30 – “And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.”
Daniel 11:32 – “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”
Group 10 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
2 Peter 1:10 – “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”
1 John 2:3-14 – “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. …“
2 Peter 3:18 – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Esther 4:13-14 – Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Group 11 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
1 John 1:1-10 – “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. …“
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 John 2:1-29 – “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: …“
Group 12 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Titus 3:1 – “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,”
James 3:1-18 – “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! …“
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
James 2:14-26 – “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. …“
Group 13 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Romans 1:28 – “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done“
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 4:15 – “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”
James 1:1-27 – “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …“
Group 14 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Romans 1:2 – “Which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,”
Acts 26:20 – “But declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.“
Acts 26:22 – “To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:“
Romans 12:6-8 – “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Romans 1:20 – “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
Group 15 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:17-19 – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.“
John 13:17 – “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
John 21:15 – When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
Acts 17:10-11 – “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Group 16 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Mark 9:23 – And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.
John 3:1-36 – “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …“
Mark 1:15 – And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Luke 12:1-59 – “In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! …“
Group 17 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 21:28-30 – “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.”
Matthew 7:20 – “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
Luke 10:33-37 – But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Group 18 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Matthew 7:16 – “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?“
Matthew 18:15-17 – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.“
Matthew 7:28-29 – “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”
Matthew 25:31-37 – “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, …“
Group 19 – Action And Reaction In The Bible
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.“
Matthew 7:12 – “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Proverbs 27:23 – “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,“
Matthew 6:31-33 – “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Ezekiel 18:20 – “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”
Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.“
Matthew 5:23-24 – “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
