TITLE: IT’S THE DOER OF JESUS WORDS WHO WILL BE BLESSED
TITLE: IT’S THE DOER OF JESUS WORDS WHO WILL BE BLESSED
SCRIPTURE:
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:19—27 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Jesus taught his disciples that whoever hears my word and does it will be blessed. As a follower of Christ, I must not only listen and hear the words of Jesus, but I must do what it says. Listening to the word of Jesus is only a part of it. But listening and doing completes it, and we will be blessed. I have learned in my journey that the word of Jesus is my life. Jesus’ words are power and life.
Here, James urged his brothers and sisters to do what the word says, not merely listen and deceive themselves. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
The best way to hear is not to speak or get angry at what is being said but to listen. People often talk and get angry before trying to hear and understand what has been said. James then told them what they must hear and do: get rid of all moral filth and the evil so prevalent and humbly, with an open heart and mind, accept the word planted in them, which can save them.
The word of God planted in them is the mirror that reflects how we should live life. James continues by saying that whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it, remembering what they have heard but doing it, will be blessed in what they do. Likewise, I am to continue to look intently into God’s perfect law or word, for it gives me the freedom that comes from living by God’s will. Like James’ brothers and sisters, I must continue listening to the word, remember it, and do what it says.
APPLICATION:
I learned today to pay close attention to what I hear and what I must do with what I hear. I need to increase my doing rather than just listening. I need to do what I heard from Christ to grow deeper in understanding who he is. Jesus’ words are life, the only life. Without his word, I would be like that man who looks in the mirror but, after leaving the mirror, doesn’t know what I look like. Life has no purpose and meaning without looking into the word of freedom, hearing it, and living it.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me to have the ear of a disciple and the heart of a learner. Please help me to hear your words clearly and daily. I ask that you continue to speak your words of life to me. Let your word grow in my heart. Please help me learn that your words are my life and help me grow deeper in you. Thank you for your words of life. Now, please help me to hear it daily, act upon it daily and embrace it as I journey with you. Thank you, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
