Scripture:
James 1:22-25 NKJV
[22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; [24] for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. [25] But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Observation:
Anyone who has been trading this SOAP thread for any length of time knows that James is probably my favorite book in the bible. There are several reasons for that. But one of the main reasons is that he pulls no punches. He just tells you like it is without any sugar-coating it. The Bible is an action plan for how to operate in the world but not be of the world. As I was contemplating what to write about this morning. Several thoughts came through my mind. All of them were right here in James. I thought about the temptation and where it comes from. I thought about anger and how to avoid it. But when my eyes fell on this scripture. I knew I had to write about action. James has a wonderful way of bringing all that into perspective. One of the most common phrases used in the New Testament is “Do not be deceived.” It’s said a lot. So much so that it rings in my ears as I sleep. One of the things I know about the bible is if something is said once you need to pay attention but if it’s repeated over and over you need to commit it to memory, write it on your heart, and never forget it. In this particular portion of scripture, what we are not to be deceived about is the action behind the perfect law of GOD. James wants us to know that there is going to be something that we will have to do. Reading it is great. But if that’s all you do, you’re not going to get anywhere. This is backed up in the next few verses. He starts with both barrels saying be doers of the word and not hearers only. That’s the hook. You have to get the word of GOD in you so that you can act on what it says. He goes on to explain the purpose of GOD’S word. It exposes our innermost thoughts and puts them right in front of us to see. Like a mirror, it shows us who we are and what we look like inside. GOD’S word puts our sin right in front of us so we can see it. What James is telling us is that when we see it and do nothing about it, that’s a problem. It’s like looking in a mirror… seeing a big hideous cancer growth on our faces and doing absolutely nothing about it. Walking away and saying everything is fine. Honestly, James calls us to action. Verse 25 brings that out even more by saying, “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” I find the phrase, “the prefect law of liberty,” interesting. I believe it’s said that way because doing what GOD’S word says sets you free to live.
Application:
I have spent years reading the bible. It’s such an amazing book. There are so many stories of drama and war and action. But if all I do is read it as though it’s a novel, my life just won’t change. The principles that are in the bible apply to life. They can make a difference in who you are and how you treat people. But you have to put the principles into action. The bible tells me that it is impossible to please GOD without faith… but what does that mean, and how do I put that into action? That’s a question I have asked myself. James tells us that faith without works is dead. Faith is an action word. Faith has to do with what you believe… and if you believe something, you are going to take action to make it happen. For example, I believe that if I apply the principles of the bible to my life… it will change for the better. So I have spent the past few years doing exactly that… and I’m going to be honest my life is much better than it was 8 years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a long way to go, but so far… by reading and doing GODS words. My life has improved in a major way. However, I am by no means perfect and still have a long way to go, but I don’t have any plans to stop doing what GOD’S word says. I honestly feel like there are a lot of action words in the bibke that get overlooked. Faith, hope, and love being a few of them. But the one that gets overlooked a lot is love. Because most people this it’s an emotion or a feeling. But it’s an action word. GOD showed his great love for us, for while we were still sinners, christ died for us. GOD took action to show us HIS love. Our willingness to do what HE says shows our love for HIM. Thar is the key to free will. When we choose to do the right thing, it shows GOD just how much we love HIM when we hear GOD’S word and take no action on what it says the reverse is true as well. I want GOD to know that I love HIM. I want HIM to know how much HE means to me. I want to do what HE says. Reading HIS word and putting it into action shows HIM that I choose HIM over the ways of this world. I am not perfect at it, but I try to get better every day, and I hope that’s where you are as well. Moving closer and closer to being conformed to the image of HIS son. Putting GOD’S word into action in your life.
Prayer:
Father, you know exactly where we are in life, and you know exactly what we need to hear and do. So I ask you right now to speak into our life the words of life that only you know and help us to put them into action. We know that we are all at different places. So speak to us right where we are. Show us in your word. So it can not be denied that it is you. Help us to walk out our faith. Moving us forward step by step so that we become more like your son. We do not want the life we left behind. Show us the way to you. Light our path with your word. Show us how it applies to our lives and give us a deep burning desire to carry it out. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.