September 12
“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 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; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 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,” James 1:22-25.
“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” We have various ways of expressing what the apostle James is emphasizing in these words. Some people go to church just to say that they have been there. They might go to church frequently or maybe only occasionally. By being present in the worship service, they hear the Word of God with their ears, unless they are sleeping. However, they are not concerned about what they hear, and they do not believe what they hear, and neither do they live according to what they hear. As we say, what they hear goes in one ear and out the other!
Whether it is the Law of God, as it is revealed in the Ten Commandments and which shows us our sins, or whether it is the Gospel, which shows us our only Savior in the Person of Jesus Christ, merely hearing it does not bring a blessing.
Such people might claim that they have a membership in a certain congregation which is affiliated with a certain religious denomination. However, they really are not serious about believing the Christian truths that are taught on the basis of what is revealed in the Bible. They have what we call a “paper membership.” Their names are merely recorded on a church roster somewhere as being members. Such people are deceiving themselves by thinking that they will enter heaven eventually!
James says, “If anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” Such people look in a mirror, comb their hair and make sure that their clothing and jewelry are properly arranged, and then go their way forgetting what they look like!
We should be both hearers and doers. We should hear and believe that we are sinners who are not able to save ourselves. Then we should look “into the perfect law of liberty,” which is the Gospel, the Good News that God loves us and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins, from death, and from the power of the devil. Jesus redeemed us with His suffering and death on the cross. His blood washed away our sins. He rose from the grave and conquered sin, death, and the devil.
Our Christian life should show that we believe and trust in God’s Son and our only Savior. We should live our faith. James writes, “This one will be blessed in what he does.” God’s blessing rests upon the person who is both a hearer and doer of the Word.
“I know my faith is founded
On Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;
And this my faith confessing,
Unmoved I stand upon His Word.
Man’s reason cannot fathom
The truth of God profound;
Who trusts her subtle wisdom,
Relies on shifting ground.
God’s Word is all-sufficient,
It makes divinely sure;
And trusting in its wisdom,
My faith shall rest secure.” Amen.