Have you ever heard someone positively use the phrase about another Christian, that he or she “doesn’t just ‘talk the talk, but walks the walk’”?
Conversely, I’ve heard people say the opposite: “so-and-so talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk!”
I’ve always believed that the world — and the Church — deserves the very best a Christian can give; do you agree?
When we give people that kind of a “walk,” we’re in effect “practicing” authentic Christianity. I use the term “practicing” because although we wish it could be the case, at some points, we fall short in our striving for maturity.
Thus, it takes a daily, courageous embracing of the cross, a renewing of our minds and time spent with the Lord to practice authentic Christianity. Few things in life are more enjoyable and fulfilling when we honor the Lord in this way!
I think the first part of practicing authentic Christianity is to live out the following, from 1 John 2:3-6:
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he bides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
