“They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan – the one you testified about – well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”” ~ John 3:26

Something is not just right here!

They heard what John said about Jesus. That did not move them.

They saw Jesus baptizing. That did not move them either.

They saw everyone going to Jesus. That did not move them.

As a matter of fact, they were not happy about it! They actually came to inspire John to embark on a competition against Jesus.

Why weren’t these people influenced by John’s message?

Of course, there were those who were influenced – a lot of people actually; but why didn’t these people go?

And I will also ask, why didn’t John simply tell them to go to Jesus? Why didn’t John himself close shop and follow Jesus?

Just like today

It’s easy to see the fact that these guys did not respond to John’s teaching. Yet, isn’t it the same today?

With what most of us know, we could be living happier and more successful lives than anything going on right now. Yet, we’d rather have God’s word in our heads, than put them to work.

We’ve heard enough to get anything we want; but are we putting them into practice?

Jesus says that the blessing is not in the knowing. The blessing is in the doing.

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” ~ John 13:17

…If you do them.

What you know is useless if it’s not applied.

Feet to faith

Let me, for instance, imagine that you have a unique product, talent, skill, or ability – let’s say you can decorate. Now, what if that new hotel in town gave you their hotel to decorate? What if that senator gave you his house to do? What if the Government house gave you that new facility to decorate?

You will make a lot of money, right?

So, what’s keeping you from going to ask whoever is in charge to give you the job?

Don’t deceive yourself; knowledge is only potential power. Knowledge becomes power only when you release it.

As a matter of fact, if you keep learning without applying what you learn, the bible refers to you as a self-deceiver.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” ~ James 1:22

We’ve learnt  that the miracle is in our mouth. The magic is in our mouth. Wealth responds to persuasion. The fruit of your lips will fill you with good things.

“From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.”
~ Proverbs 12:14

Now, what are you doing about it?

Those people that came to John knew what John had said about Jesus. They knew that Jesus had started baptizing. They knew that everyone was going to Jesus. They knew, and they knew, and they knew; but what they knew did not profit them anything, because they did nothing with it.

“For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.” ~ Hebrews 4:2 [NIV]

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” ~ Hebrews 4:2 [KJV]

The word is sent to bring profit to you; but that will only happen if you put it to work. The blessing is in the doing, not in the knowing.

It’s a new day. Go out now and WORK!