Information has never been more easily accessible than it is right now. Humans throughout history would have done anything imaginable to have the kind of access to information that today is only one click away. This access is a blessing of modern life that we should be grateful for. But, the sunlight of every blessing casts a shadow, and the shadow side of information is the falsehood that equates knowledge and growth. Knowlege alone can never bring about the growth that comes from action. It does not matter how much news we consume if we never volunteer in our community or cast our vote. Reading and dreaming about retirement means little to nothing if we never put money away. Let’s not kid ourselves—knowing something and doing something are worlds apart.
The Fellowship of the Doers
Theodore Roosevelt was a man who came to understand the difference between knowing and doing. History tells us that he was a man of vast talents and interests which sprang from his childhood. While enduring numerous physical challenges as a child (debilitating asthma, constant stomach and tooth pain, and a body that was frail on his best days), he committed himself to reading far and wide from history to poetry, natural sciences to epic war narratives. He enriched his mind, but he wouldn’t have been the man or the President that we remember if his actions never followed his love of knowledge. Roosevelt didn’t just read about what it meant to live a robust life—he lived it. He called this commitment to action the “Fellowship of the Doers.” He committed himself, despite his challenges to physical, relational, social, and political action. Knowledge was the foundation for a life built on action. Roosevelt knew that all the knowledge in the world wouldn’t mean a thing if he didn’t apply it.
Faith and Action
We face a similar challenge in our spiritual lives. We can often lead ourselves to believe that spiritual growth is about we know or how many sermons we have listened to. But here’s the honest truth: spiritual growth is about transformation, not just information. It’s about letting our knowledge shape our actions.
James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” It’s not enough to hear or read the word of God. We must act on it. Knowledge without action is like a car without fuel—it might look good, but it’s not going anywhere.
Imagine a garden. You can read every book on gardening, learn about every plant, and understand the science behind photosynthesis. But if you never put your hands in the dirt, if you never plant a seed your garden will never grow. Similarly, our spiritual lives require dirty hands in the garden of our lives. We need to act on what we learn.
Let’s think about love for a moment. Love is the supreme virtue in the Kingdom of God. But, let’s be clear – love is not a collection of good feelings or happy thoughts. It m=is much more than that. Love is a verb. Love is something you do. Jesus didn’t just tell us to love our neighbors—He showed us how. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the sorrowful. He demonstrated that love is active. It’s no coincidence that the greatest commandments are to love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-39). These commands require action and obedience that lead to transformation.
Think of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The priest and the Levite had knowledge of the law. They knew the commandments. But they walked by the injured man. The Samaritan, on the other hand, took action. He didn’t just know the right thing to do; he did it. That’s the kind of love we’re called to practice. The kind that enables us to live with wisdom and not just knowledge.
Knowledge Puffs Up
If we overly committed to filling our minds instead of filling our lives then it will become easy live the opposite of love – pride. A prideful mind has no room for loving actions. As Paul instructed the Corinthians, “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.” (1 Cor. 8:1-2) Pauls point is that showing love is more important that being right. Knowledge is often concerned with being right, but love is concerned with service. Gaining more knowledge to prove to ourselves that we are right is easy. But living out our virtues keeps us humble because it’s hard work.
Rosevelt’s “Fellowship of the Doers” is a reminder that we must be doers, not just hearers. We need to put our faith into action. Just as Roosevelt combined his intellectual pursuits with physical activity, we must combine our spiritual learning with tangible actions.
Small Consistent Action
So, what does this look like in our daily lives? It’s in the small, consistent actions. Small consistent actions steel and prepare our hearts and minds to be ready to act when it really counts. Without the build up of action the muscles of virtue will atrophy within our soul and we might not be ready to weep with those who weep, celebrate with those who celebrate, or pray with those who pray. But, by acting with love, joy, peace, patience we will begin to see the fruit of the Spirit grow into a garden full of life.
In an age of information, may we not confuse it for action. Let’s join the “Fellowship of the Doers.” Let’s take what we learn and put it into practice. Because in the end, it’s not what we know but what we do that counts. Let’s stop just thinking about loving God and loving people—and get on with it.
By Brandon Gilliam
