Rajon Rhondo is a National Basketball league player since 2006. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. I came across several inspirational things he has said or written in that past few years. One, in particular, stands out. “Talk is cheap, but when you go out there and prove it – you’re the first one to show up for practice, and you’re the last to leave – that’s how you lead by example.”
Words really do lose their impact when our actions don’t back up what we say. Jesus’ life reflected everything he taught. There was never a gap between what he said and what he did. More than that, he didn’t just speak gentle or non-controversial things. He often spoke hard words.
In John 8, Jesus had just spoken to the Pharisees and leaders regarding a woman caught in the act of adultery. He was brilliant. Then he continues teaching in the temple courts. It’s in that context that John records this: John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
“Holding to Jesus’ teaching” is more than words. It’s putting words into action. Words are important…but you’ll have a difference-making impact when your life backs up what you say. To those Jews who believed Jesus, he then encouraged them to take things to the next level of impact which Nike has capitalized upon, “JUST DO IT.”