In summary of James 1:22-25 it says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
Bottom Line:
Don’t just listen to God’s word, do what it says. When you only listen and do nothing you are only fooling yourself. Those who hear and do nothing are like one who looks at the mirror and then immediately forgets what they look like. Looking carefully into the perfect law and doing what it says, not forgetting what you heard, will bring blessings from God.
What this means to me:
I can’t just listen or glance at God’s word and expect to gain a lot. I must take the time to look intently into it, absorb it, use it to change my values, my perspective and ultimately my behavior. James calls God’s Word a mirror. A mirror will help me evaluate myself. After looking at the mirror I can decide if I need to make any changes before I leave for the day. God’s word does exactly the same. In order to make it more permanent in my life, I must get into it deeper. God promises that blessings will result from me application of it.
I need to:
- Read my Bible. “... whoever looks intently ...”
- Review the Bible. “... and continues in it ...”
- Remember the Bible. “... not forgetting what they have heard ...”
- Respond to the Bible. “... but doing it ...”
So I can’t just glance at the Word of God in a rushed, hurried manner and then leave. Just glancing at God’s work will not likely change my life.
0 comments:
Post a Comment