Words Are Not Enough

Dear friends, as I write these words, I am now in my fourth day of having a very nasty bout of COVID. I cannot wait until I am well and can return to doing the things I love to do such as teaching, preaching, and visiting. Karen and I thank you for your prayers, food supplied, and well wishes. We love you all.

Brother F.M. Mattox, in his book “The Eternal Kingdom” makes a wonderful point about Christianity. He states, “The teaching of Christ is important, but the heart of the Christian religion is not in what Christ said. It is in what Christ did”.

Please stop and think about this. Jesus taught wonderful, marvelous lessons about love, mercy, and grace. He foretold of eternal punishment for those who refused to believe in Him and His words. He prepared His disciples concerning His upcoming death and how He would arise from the dead on the third day.

Jesus did more than just talk. He backed everything up by His actions. He proved He had the power to forgive sins by telling the paralyzed man to rise and walk (Matthew 9:6). His miracles of healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons proved He was the long-awaited Messiah (John 10:25,38). He arose from the grave on the third day and appeared to His disciples on numerous occasions and to many others before ascending to heaven 40 days later (John 20:19,20;1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 1).

Friends, Jesus revolutionized the world by His words and His deeds. He came to be our Savior and to show us how to truly live. Today, many want to cheapen this. We are told “Just believe in Jesus and invite Him in your heart”. “Once you are saved, you are always saved”. “Believe in Jesus and live as you want”.

Jesus said, “The words I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Do you see the difference? Being a Christian is more than just words, it is a lifestyle. Do not be deceived: believe and obey for there is no other way!



Stay true to the Word,

Brother Travis