The Word: James 1: 22(KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Dig Deeper: James 1: 23 – 24(KJV)
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Think about it
BE A DOER OF THE WORD
Our text today is so simple and lovely. It was written by Apostle James (Not James the disciple, Remember Peter, James and John – The top 3 disciples. Not that James) This was written by James the brother of Jesus. Thesame Mum and Dad. Remember Jesus’ siblings didn’t believe in him initially. But after his death and resurrection, they not only believed in him, they also joined the other disciples. Along the line, James being the brother of the Lord became the leader of the new church in Jerusalem. So he wrote what we know as the book of James. Just 5 chapters but very powerful. So in chapter 1, James having had the experience of being Jesus’ sibling but not believing for a very long time emphasizes the importance of allowing the word to change our lives. In other words, it is possible to hear the word, but if it’s not mixed with faith, it would profit us nothing. So he leaves us a few important points:
– Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving ourselves. In other words, God is not interested in hearers, God is interested in doers. The more we apply God’s word to our lives, the more light it gives us. The level of our obedience to the word will determine the more revelation we get and the rewards that our lives attract. When we do not not apply the word, we are not deceiving God, we are deceiving ourselves because God cannot be deceived. It is a dangerous thing to keep learning the truth without corresponding obedience. The more you know, the more responsible you become. So it’s better not to learn the word if you know you have already made up your mind not to apply it. Knowledge attracts responsibility. And responbility brings higher accountability. Listen to James analogy:
James 1: 25
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
The main blessing is not in hearing the word. The major blessing is in practicing what we heard or read.
When we eat a delicious food, it is very tasty in our mouth. That is part of the enjoyment or blessing. But the true blessing is when we digest it in our system and it nourishes our body. The application is where the reward is. If the word says: bless the Lord at all times. The reward is in doing it. If the word says don’t curse your husband, or respect him, the blessing is in doing it. God cannot be mocked, what we sow is what we reap. The blessing, result, reward is in the practice of it. Without doing the word, our lives can’t be transformed
Nuggets:
God is looking for hearers not doers
Our memory verse for April 2018
Psalm 119: 130
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 2 lines:
Line 1: The entrance of thy words giveth light;
Line 2: It giveth understanding unto the simple.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Our next level prayers:
Lord help me to be a practitioner of your word
On the word: Recommended book
The Bible Study Methods – Rick Warren
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