We Are What We Do

Matthew 21:28-32

“And He was saying, ‘That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man” (Mk. 7:20, NASB).

“Never say what you will do or will not do” (Laura Bell Myles, my mother)

On July 14, 2016, Cory Batey a football player at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee is sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Batey is convicted of rape of a female student; participating in the crime along with three other football players while the young woman is drunk and passed out. At the close of the trial Batey makes the following statement: “I’d like to say I’m deeply sorry for my foolish behavior. My actions that night were not intentional, nor were they a reflection of my character. My father would be very upset with the position I find myself in today.”

As we read this statement by Batey it is apparent that Batey wishes to separate his behavior from his character. Apparently Batey sees himself through the image that his father and others in society have of him. There are accounts that Batey sought pastors and other people of supposedly good reputation to stand for him based on his good character. Batey thinks that his guilt and sentencing should be based on what he perceives his character to be more than his behavior. In this article I want to show that Batey has a misguided belief about the relationship between one’s character and one’s behavior. The parable that Jesus tells points out that one’s behavior is the results of one’s character. Character is in the heart, and the truth of our character is not always what we think that it is. Let us begin by looking at the parable.

In the gospel of Matthew Jesus is continually being questioned by the religious leaders. They have an image of themselves and others based on a person’s behavior. They see people that follow the traditions as good. Since Jesus often does thing not according to their traditions they consider Him to be evil; a demon (devil, KJV). “But the Pharisees were saying, ‘he casts out demons by the ruler of the demons’” (Matt. 9:34, NASB). “The crowd answered, ‘You have a demon! Who seeks to kill You?’” (Jn. 7:20, NASB).

In Matthew 21 Jesus cleanses the temple. Then he begins to teach in the temple. The chief priests question His authority to teach. This parable of the two sons point out that God gives the religious leaders the authority to teach the people, but they fail to do so. On the other hand, God gives Jesus authority and Jesus does the will of His father by obeying the Father’s commands.

In the parable the father tells the first son to go in the vineyard and work. The son initially refuses to go, but later he changes his mind and goes into the vineyard and work. This son has the heart of obedience. Because of what is in his heart, this son does as the father has told him to do. We do not know the reason(s) that the son initially tells his father that he will not do the work. What is important is that in his heart he knew that he was wrong. His conscience does not allow him to be comfortable with himself. The only satisfaction to be gained is when his actions complements what is in his heart; his character.

Then, the father goes to the second son. He tells him to go into the vineyard and work. The son agrees, but he never goes into the vineyard. This son does not have a heart for obedience. This son initially has no reason not to go to work. However, later he finds a reason, and his character allows him to complement what is in his heart by his actions. His character does not motivate him to keep his words; to be honest and faithful.

Jesus asks a significant question for our consideration. “‘Which of the two did the will of his father?’” (v. 31). The importance of our actions is expressed by Jesus as He concludes the Sermon on the Mountain. He says, “‘Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter’” (Matt. 7:21, NASB).

In Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Mountain Jesus warns against judging others. He says, ‘“For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit’” (Lk 6:43, NASB). He continues, ‘“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart”’ (v. 45).This teaching illustrates to us that the tree is not good just because it looks good. Instead, a tree proves whether it is good or not based on the fruit that it produces. Now, let us return to the statement made by Mr. Batey.

Mr. Batey says that his behavior was foolish, but it is not a reflection of his character. Now, let me give some old fashion definitions of character. Character is who we really are. Character is what we do in the dark. It is what we do when no one else can see us. Character is what the nurse does when she admits a blind patient. When the nurse ask the patient if he has anything valuable that he wants to be locked in the safe, the patient reaches into his pocket and gives her a large sum of money. The nurse asks the patient how much money he has. He replies, “I don’t know, I’m blind.” The nurse is broke and she needs to pay some bills. Maybe she can tell the patient that he has less money than he gives to her. She can keep some of it for herself. However, this nurse does not think about these possibilities. Instead, she finds another nurse and the two counts the money accurately; places it in an envelope and calls the hospital Officer of the Day to come to collect the money and lock in the safe. The nurse’s action is a testimony to her character.

My mother and father taught us that we should never say what we would or would not do, and the children reminded each other on a regular basis. You see, what we say about ourselves means little until we have demonstrated what we say in action. Our actions demonstrate not our ideal of ourselves based on what we think of ourselves; especially when it is based on what others think and say about us. No one knows us completely except God, and this includes ourselves. Action is the evidence. Action is the proof. How do I know this to be true?

I know this to be true because I have failed to live up to my ideals about myself so many times. I have made promises to myself, only to break those promises. My inconsistencies show that I have some growing up to do. I might act nice most of the time, but I am not yet fully mature. I am still in the process of developing my character. On the other hand God speaks the truth about Himself. God never fails to live up to His words. God’s actions prove that He is who He says that He is. ‘“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life’” (Jn. 3:16, NASB). “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8, NASB). If we love God, we will obey His two greatest commandments. The first commandment is, ‘“You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’” (Matt. 22:37). The second is, ‘“You shall love your neighbor as yourself”” (v. 39). If we believe in Jesus we will be His disciple. We do our best to observe His teachings; observing to do all that He commands us to do Matt. 28:20).

In conclusion who we are is not what others think about us and say about us. It is not our outward appearance. It is not what we think about ourselves base on what other say about us or even expect of us. We are what we do.

Prayer: Father in heaven we ask that you continue to give us your grace and mercy so that we might mature into being all that you would have us to be. Amen.