Appropriately, the story—or legend—is told that in 1314 Cormac MacCarthy, King of Munster in Ireland, sent 4,000 troops to the aid of Robert the Bruce in a war against Edward II of England. At the battle of Bannockburn, the Scots won a great victory that paved the way for eventual independence. Robert was so pleased by MacCarthy’s troops that he sent a gift, a piece of limestone called the Stone of Destiny, to the MacCarthy clan. This stone was fitted into a battlement on the parapet of Blarney Castle, the home of Cormac, and has since held a special honor.

When the castle was expanded in 1446, the stone was again incorporated into a pinnacle battlement. The MacCarthy clan fought to maintain ownership of the castle. In 1586, Queen Elizabeth sent the Earl of Leicester to negotiate for the castle and its lands, but the wily clan chief delayed by a series of banquets and entertainments. Reports to the queen showed lots of talk but no progress. Once, in exasperation, she threw the Earl’s report and exclaimed, “It’s the same old blarney!” The expression was born and the legend grew that kissing the Blarney Stone imparted a special eloquence. When I kissed the stone, Connie wryly observed, “Well, that was a waste!” (Apparently she thought I didn’t need the help!) We’ve all known people who are fine talkers yet somehow never seem to accomplish anything—and that didn’t begin at Blarney Castle.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18 NIV).

A life of discipleship consists of actively living like Jesus, saying and doing the things He would approve. It is clear that He expects us to act in ways that are in harmony with the teachings He gave. It’s sad to see some people who claim to follow Jesus yet only harangue others to obey Him. For themselves, they never lift a finger actually to help a needy situation. Of course, that’s not really discipleship and they are only fooling themselves if they presume that’s Christian conduct.

Christians have changed the world in very good ways and no thinking person can deny that. However, it wasn’t just Christian words that changed the world, it was the actions of people who truly believed and followed Jesus. It is Jesus who teaches us to treat everybody with respect, to help the hurting, to speak kindly, to provide equal justice, to be truthful, peaceable and loving. Putting those words into practice has brought about the rule of law, compassionate care for the physically and mentally ill, food, shelter and protection for refugees, and uncounted quiet, private acts of blessing. The genuine teachings of Jesus are not just blarney, they are coaching for life practices that bring real life and real blessing to others’ lives. In action and in truth, Jesus has changed the world.