My beautiful and virtuous mother used to say: "works are love, not good reasons"; and it was only as an adult that I began to understand this wise phrase. It is easy to say, "I love you", "I am sorry", "I am willing", "I will change", .... The complex part is to get to the acts that confirm these desires, or what is known as a consequence.

To practice what is taught about spiritual matters, would be ideal; there is specialization in the knowledge of the sacred scriptures, but in it's daily application, have we learned?

John 14:15 NKJV

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

Matthew 23:1-4 NKJV

1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you [a]to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Isaiah 29:13 NKJV

13 Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,