We Remember And Do What Is Important To Us

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 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. 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.” – James 1:22-25

Martie and I were leaving the church parking lot yesterday and had to merge into the cars trying to get on the main road.  We watched the cars stream by, the drivers careful not to make eye contact so they might feel guilty and let us merge into the line.  Now these are the same people who had just listened to the reading in James chapter 1.  Perhaps thinking – “That is someone else who forgets, not me.” I have said, for years, “The most dangerous place to be on Sunday morning  is the church parking lot after the service.” People seem almost frantic to leave. Well, frantic might be a little strong, but you get the idea.

The reason God inspired James to write those words is because God knows our hearts and our leanings. The Word is not written in parts – some parts being for you – and other parts being for others who are not living their new lives rightly. All of the Word is for all of us.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16

Not just some servants – but all servants of God.  That is you and me. We should be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Jesus made a similar point while standing before a multitude but looking at his disciples.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” – Luke 6:46-49

 How firm is your foundation? Ok, one more verse to hammer this point home.

“Keep this Book of the Law [the Word of God] always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8

The Word of God is critical to living your new life. Not just hearing it – reading it – but meditating on it – and then obeying it.  You can’t or won't do that on your own – but only by the power of God’s Spirit in you. We are not to be like babies in a high chair being spoon fed from a jar of baby food – but we should be feeding ourselves. Do we need teaching – yes?  Do we need preaching – yes? But at some point, we also need to feed ourselves and then be faithful to obey.

Soli Deo Gloria