As we
spend our time meditating on the Word, let’s remember the end goal of this
study – to taste the Word of God for ourselves! Simply showing up at Sunday School and church
will not help us grow, just like simply showing up at the dinner table
each meal will do nothing to make our hunger go away and give us what our
bodies need. We've got to actually pick
up our forks and taste the food for it to help us grow and live. The Bible is no different! We've got to be tasting God’s Word daily and
studying it for it to help us grow in our walk with God. Think about this way: I don’t just want you to know that God is
good; I want you to taste and see for yourself that God is good. I don’t just want you to know that God’s
grace is sufficient; I want you to taste and see that God’s grace is
sufficient. Let’s feed on the Word and then follow Christ with passion!
As you
read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: doers, hearers,
mirror, and blessed.
Passage
for the day: James 1:22-25 (NASB)
22 But prove yourselves doers of the
word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
23 For
if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at
his natural
face in
a mirror;
24 for
once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what
kind of person he was.
25 But
one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by
it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will
be blessed
in what
he does.
Questions
for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go
on to the next section.
What
are the major differences between a hearer and a doer?
Examine
your life for a moment and think about all of the times during the week when
you hear the Word (church, school, personal devotions, etc.). Would you consider yourself just a hearer of
the Word, or are you a doer of the Word?
What
is the result of being a doer of the Word?
Meditate on this:
Where
would we be without mirrors? We would
have a hard time knowing what we looked like!
With a mirror in front of us, however, it is very clear to see what we
look like. Mirrors do not hide the
truth, but reflect what is true. They
are always honest. Ever notice that? They
are very helpful because they show us what we look like. In James, the Word of God is spoken of as a
mirror. As you read God’s Word and hear
it preached, you see what you look like spiritually. Just like a mirror, the Bible will reveal the
real you and show you what needs to change.
We are to receive the Word and hear what it says, but we cannot just
stop there. Hearing the Word of God and
accumulating knowledge is not the end – it’s only the beginning! The man who looks intently into the mirror of
God’s Word can still ignore its message once it is received. The mere glancing
at the Word without taking action is of little use – just as the mere glancing
in the mirror as you are getting ready in the morning will not help you. James says that the person who just glances
in the mirror will walk away and forget what kind of person he really is before
the God and His Word.
In
contrast, the believer who learns about himself and what God requires by
concentrating on the mirror of the Word will be blessed. We must intentionally
look into Scripture for the purpose of change. This exercise is one of careful
attention to learn what is wrong and to discern what ought to be done to
correct it. This kind of continual gazing into the Word guards against
forgetting and motivates doing. Only by remembering to do what Scripture says
(as we continue to hear and read it), can we apply it to our lives. In other words, apply yourself to the Word so
you may be able to apply the Word to your life!
As the “Word” brings new life
according to v. 18, it also sets us free and points to the free obedience
of the Christian life. The blessing that is promised in this passage follows
closely the words of Jesus, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God
and obey it” (Luke 11:28). Let’s seek to
apply ourselves to the Word so that we can apply the Word to our lives!
Praying for that you would Love Christ
PASSIONATELY, Know Christ DEEPLY, and Enjoy Christ FULLY!!!
Pastor Stephen
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