“… be doers of the Word by obeying
its message and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves thru deceptive
reasoning contrary to the Truth.”*James 1:22 AMP
We
could hear a sermon given by angels every day of the week but if we do not put
into practice what we have heard we are simply going thru the motions. Faith requires action, not passivity. Our comfort zones need to be shaken up. Too many people try to remain autonomous in
their Christianity, deciding for themselves what certain scriptures mean or
don’t mean. They miss the point
entirely. This whole deal isn’t about
us. It’s not! It’s about God and Jesus and death and
subsequent life and forgiveness and second chances and not about what we think we should be doing or not doing.
The Word
of God is a guide to everlasting life.
It offers forgiveness that is tantamount to a second chance. Our slate is wiped completely clean. We get a ‘do-over’. What will we do with that second chance? Don’t be like the criminal who does his time
in prison, gets released and goes right back to doing breaking the law again. Believers
should seek to know the Lord thru His Word and then obey it by living it
out. We are told to be like Jesus to a
lost and dying world. Paul says to the Corinthian believers, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of
Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) John
says, “the one who says he abides in Him
ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (1 John 2:6)
It is
unacceptable to hear the Word of God and not have it lead to godly action, thus
nullifying its effect in our lives. God’s standard is based on truth that is
worth obeying because it will lead us into peaceful fulfillment that this world
knows nothing of. What the world offers
is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, a mere deception. Listen & obey,
for God only has our best interests at heart.
Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
* A slight variation on the Amplified Bible
text.
Resources:
Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary; Reformation Study Bible.
