Saying And Doing
Saying And Doing
SAYING AND DOING.The contrast between saying and doing is based on an axiomatic principle of the moral and spiritual life, which, notwithstanding its simplicity and obviousness, is apt to be overlooked, viz. the importance of character as distinguished from profession, the supreme value of ethical ideals and practice above ritual observance, the vital connexion between creed and conduct. The distinction thus suggested necessarily finds a large place in the teaching of our Lord, who, as the Founder of a religion of inward reality, frequently emphasized the importance of doing rather than saying. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Mat 7:21). Not that Jesus by any means underrated the importance of saying; He made confession of His name one of the most solemn obligations of discipleship (Mat 10:32-33, cf. Luk 8:38-39). But a profession must rest upon a solid foundation of character. The recurrence, in various forms, of the phrase to do the will of God, and the prominent place given to this conception, is a marked feature of Christs teaching; see Mat 12:50; cf. Mat 7:24-27; Mat 16:27; Mat 25:40; Mat 25:45, Luk 10:30-37; Luk 11:28; Luk 13:6-9 etc. Doing is the testing quality of the Christian life (Mat 5:19; Mat 5:47), and the sure and only way to spiritual enlightenment (Joh 7:17). Of this doing of Gods will Jesus Himself set the supreme and inspiring example (Joh 4:34; Joh 5:30; Joh 6:38). In contrast with this ideal of doing, Jesus warned men against the subtle dangers of mere saying. Even when sincerely meant, He checked the impulsiveness of a hasty and ill-considered profession (Mat 8:19-20; cf. Mat 26:33-34, Luk 14:28); but His severest rebukes were reserved for those who substituted a hollow and obtrusive pretension for the realities of moral and spiritual character. It was the great sin of the religious leaders of the time that they were so strong in profession and precept, and so neglectful of practical righteousness; they say, and do not (Mat 23:3); and many too readily followed their example of easy formalism,This people honoureth me with their lips (Mat 15:8). The same contrast is boldly presented in the parable of the Two Sons (Mat 21:28-32), with special reference on the one hand to the Pharisees and scribes, and on the other to the outwardly unpromising publicans and sinners who welcomed the message of the Kingdom of heaven. Right action without profession, or even in contradiction to the profession, is better than promises unfulfilled by practice. In this, as in other ways, many shall be last that are first; and first that are last (Mat 19:30). The acted parable of the withering of the barren fig-tree with its deceptive show of premature leaves, was a solemn warning against the danger and sin of saying without doing (Mat 21:18-19, Mar 11:12-14). Better that the saying should follow than outrun the doing, and be inspired by a truthful and humble judgment of even our best efforts and achievements; when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do (Luk 17:10).
Literature.Dale, Evangel. Revival, 104; ExpT [Note: xpT Expository Times.] iii. [1892] 466, viii. [1896] 85; F. W. Robertson, Serm, ii. 94.
J. E. MOuat.