Audio Video Balance

Matthew 12:36-37 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

ON occasion as my wife and I travel by car, I may find it difficult to hear the radio. When I ask her to increase the volume, she questions my hearing or teases me about my hearing. Then Barb checks the speaker controls and discovers the audio is out of balance. She adjusts the balance to be equal on both sides of the car, and we both can hear.

Our faith walk with Jesus can lose its audio balance. People may hear us speak in faith and then watch us act faithlessly. Or we may act faithfully before others, but our words may be faithless, not tuned to hear the prophets, “This is what the LORD says,” and Jesus’ absolute announcements, “I tell you the Truth.”

Jesus teaches us to put our audio in balance with our video. What we do, we must speak. And we must speak what we do. People around you are watching and listening. God is watching and listening, too.

We all know how the culture charges the church with, “You are all hypocrites!” It is a harsh and often unfair accusation. But it is also too often a true charge. We confess Christ; yet, studies show Christians, who claim to believe and follow the gospel, are as guilty of breaking God’s commands as are the non-confessing population.

What kind of audio-video testimony is this to our Lord? It is a testimony that minimizes and discredits the LORD. Balance is required of a true disciple. Balance is about hearing and doing Jesus’ teachings. Balance is about being salt and light to the world. Balance is living with a true heart of worship. Balance demonstrates to the world that Christ has transformed your life.

Jesus Teaches: Tune in. Listen and live what you hear.