"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth"
(1 John 1:6)
John was extremely disturbed over the problem of people who verbally claimed a relationship with Christ yet who, nevertheless, showed no physical evidence of the fruits of the Spirit. Confession of faith has too often been placed in the category of verbal expression as if this were the only means accredited in the Word. It is true that Romans 10:9 speaks of confession with the mouth but the expression relates to the original act of faith by which we are saved. After this confession of the Lordship of Jesus and His resurrection has been made, the emphasis changes considerably to that of daily living. The only certification of our original confession with the mouth being genuine is our consistent manifestation of fruits of the Spirit in our daily living. Words come easily in religious confessions but only actions are effective in true Christian witness.
It is an insult to God that we should identify ourselves with Him and His holiness while our lives are openly contradicting all that Jesus is and teaches. The apostle John feels strongly concerning this matter, to the extent that he calls this type of person a liar. It is high time that this kind of language be utilized in our evangelical churches where too often verbal boasting of the truth is not backed by action. John will have a great deal more to say on this subject in his second chapter.
Is your life consistent with your testimony? In fact, is your testimony only words not deeds?
"What you are speaks so loud that the world can't hear what you say."
(this devotional by Dr. Robert M. McMillan)