SCRIPTURE: James 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. [James 1:22]
Do what it says, or better, do what He says.
The word is the voice of Jesus, Who is the voice of God – do what He says.
He freely gives wisdom, truth and freedom through His word – what He says is for our blessing and happiness.
Yes, it is hard, and it may mean that we struggle or suffer in this world.
But if we persevere in it, if we rely on Him for strength and wisdom and hope, we will survive and eventually we will thrive.
But it starts today, it starts now – do what He says!
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [Matthew 7:24-25]
It’s not enough to hear His words, it’s not enough to agree with what He says.
We must put them into practice, we must do what He says.
Too often christians get bogged down in subtle, secondary doctrines and practices that are not God’s main concern.
As Jesus followers, we need to focus on the obvious first, and do what he says…
- love and forgive your enemy and abuser
- give freely to those in need
- deny yourself for the sake of others
- be a servant to others
- love people, not things
- be merciful, patient, kind
- go the extra mile, turn the other cheek
- care for the weak and vulnerable
What if these were the things that christians were known for?
What if we were fanatical and extreme about these qualities and virtues?
Isn’t this what God and Jesus are looking for?
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 1:27]
Both James and Jesus make it clear that those who live like this will be established, will be blessed.
They will survive the storm, will persevere through trials, will come out on top.
As I look into my heart, I realize that I am still distracted by ‘religion’ and ‘church’.
My heart is not yet mainly devoted to the things that God’s heart is devoted to.
I know what He wants, I know what He says, but the challenge for today is…
Do what He says!
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for revealing to me my distracted heart and for reminding me about what really matters. I cannot do this on my own, but help me to DO what You say!
With today’s reading, two thoughts cross my mind.
First: it is through trials we come closer to God. This reminds me of Pastor Zantesah Ingallas address the Servers at Hope Church, ‘I will not allow my situations to conquer me, but through the power of the Holy Spirit I conquer my situations. I am not overcome but I am an over-comer. I am not the victim but I am the victor.’
As a child of the living God, I am equipped and empowered to be living for the King each day.
Loving = knowing = doing. To love Him is to know Him. When we hear His Word and do that Word we have listened. If we do not do, then we haven’t listened. To hear is to do. Just think of giving instructions to little children – and tat’s who we are – children of the loving/living God. I am a child of God. I must listen to His voice saying ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’
Help me to walk in Your Way this day Lord. Help me to give You all the praise on this day You have made.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Refrain
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Refrain