What Comes First

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:31-32

Abide in His word.

Action.

And you shall know the truth.

Belief.

Action precedes belief.

First we do, then we understand.

In Exodus (19 and 24), when Moses presents the Torah…God’s holy word…His mandates (as well as His blessings)…to the Israelites, their immediate response…over and over again… “We will do everything the Lord has said.”

They didn’t ask “Why?”

They didn’t ask, “What’s in it for us?”

They didn’t set around discussing it or take a vote.

They accepted and obeyed. Why? Because they understood the principle…the very principle Jesus taught the Jews thousands of years later. It’s only through our actions that we gain knowledge and understanding.We will never understand he motive behind God's instruction until we begin to walk it out.

We know, however, that He is a good God and that everything He asks of us is for our benefit. It's not our job to question; it's our responsibility to act.

First we do what He tells us to do. Then we understand why.

First we do; then we understand.

Action always precedes belief.