Doers of the Word

Today’s Verse:

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ~James 1:22

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Sometimes, we can get to the place in our Christian life where we can sit under preaching and teaching but find ourselves not applying what we learn. We agree with what we hear, but we do not put it into practice. The Greek word for doers is also translated “poets” in Acts 17:28. It is a word that the Greeks used to describe a maker, producer, or author. In its basic meaning, a doer is someone who performs what they have been told. Let us see the importance of being a doer of the Word.

We see the receiving.

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” We are to receive God’s Word with a pure heart. We are to put away from us all form and manner of nastiness and naughtiness. Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” We are to receive God’s Word with a proper heart. James emphasizes a heart of meekness. This implies humility and teachability. We must receive God’s Word to protect our heart. It is the engrafted Word, which is able to save our soul. The priority is that we are always ready to receive God’s Word.

We see the reckless.

“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: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” James is speaking about a forgetful hearer. He disregards what he has been instructed and goes his way. God’s Word is compared to a mirror. A mirror reveals what we look like. We cannot change the mirror to change what we see. A reckless believer who carelessly disregards God’s Word has displaced God’s authority in his life. He is living in self-deception and vain religion. In a stronger sense, he is a hypocrite in that he agrees with what God’s Word says, but he is unwilling to allow it to change him.

We see the responsible.

“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 responsible person looks into the Word of God and continues, or abides, in its commands, precepts, statutes, and laws. He does not disregard what he hears and sees, but immediately puts it into practice. He is a doer of the Word. He puts into practice what he has learned. He lives out the conviction that the Holy Spirit puts into his heart. The responsible thing for us concerning God’s Word is to obey it.

We see the reward.

“This man shall be blessed in his deed.” The blessing is several-fold. He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. His leaf shall not wither, he shall bring forth fruit in his season, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. God prospers this man’s way and gives him good success. God answers his prayers. He lives in the power of God’s Word. He lives with the peace of God’s Word. He sees his life and that of others changing. He has a good testimony in the world and in the church. If we are just hearers, we are living in self-deception. Let’s be doers of the Word! Let’s show our love for Jesus by keeping and doing what God’s Word says.

Have an obedient God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Psalms 96-102

#James #Obedience #WordofGod