As a general statement, a parent delights in a child who hears their instructions and carries it out forthwith. Active listening and diligent obedience are essential for child to be found faithful in their assignments and reap the benefits of parental favor. If there is profitable value in obeying our earthly parents who are imperfect, how much more should be obey our perfect Heavenly Father and live? (Heb 12:9-10). It is this very Biblical principle that James begins to explore in this devotional, thus he says, “But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deceiving yourselves.” Here are some helpful exhortations to aid us in understanding James instructions to us:
- Hearing comes before doing. Obedience is impossible when we have not adequately heard. The Word of God is the life manual for the Christian. In it, the Father has given us everything we need to live a life of righteousness. We cannot grow in obedience, if we do not mature in hearing and learning of his Word, which fortifies our faith. Remember, faith is the root of our spiritual tree and our obedience is its glorious fruit.
- Hearing alone is not sufficient in the eyes of God. Hearing the Word of God is the catalyst to obedience. Paul taught, “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17). However, there is no benefit to us in holiness if we only hear God, but do not do what He says. How can we even call him our Lord, if we don’t obey our Master? (Lk 6:46). For a Christian to hear preaching of the Word every Sunday, attend Bible study and walk away as if God has nothing to say to us……that God requires nothing of us is to be self-deceived, thus James warning, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
To neglect God’s Word is to injure ourselves. It is like boxer getting into a ring and putting a blindfold on his own face! Hebrews warns of the apostate effects it could have on our faith, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we heard, lest we drift away from it” (Heb 2:1-2).
Dearly beloved, the hallmark of the Christian life starts with faith the produces obedience. Jesus warned of the error of honoring him with our lips, but having a heart that does not submit to him in love. Being able to recite scripture on Facebook does not fulfill God’s commands towards us. Endeavoring to grow daily in living out his scriptures is when we shall experience true blessedness of God. John exhortations harmonizes with James and is appropriate here, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 Jn 3:18). Let our Christian life be the evidence of our faithful hearing and doing for God.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com