Tuesday Devotional
January 14, 2020
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” James 1:22-24 (ESV)
We live in a time where everyone does that which is right in their own eyes. We have people who claim to believe in Christ and in the Gospel, yet they pervert the truth of the Word and insist that we can be partakers in some hyper-grace movement that allows us to live as we want to live, to be hearers of the Word and not doers. Nothing could be further from the truth! James faced this very same problem in his day, and the Holy Spirit speaks to the faithful of all ages through the words of this little book which gives the believer such wonderful insight into the practical walk with God in Christ Jesus.
In the preceding verses, James had just addressed those who were slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to get angry. Just as in our day, James faced people that were so wrapped up in themselves and in what they thought and what they felt that they missed the more elemental points of the faith. While many spend great amounts of time investigating words and doctrines and origins of teachings, the more necessary and elementary teachings of salvation and repentance and a call to holy living are ignored and sometimes even taught against. The reason is that they cannot have the Lord and the pleasures of the world, yet they want to be hearers and partakers in the promises of the Word, yet they do not want to partake in the doing of the Word. One cannot partake in the promises of the Word, if the do not partake in the Word by allowing it to work in and through their lives by doing what is commanded. We must not be deceived — if we want the benefits of Jesus and the promises of His Word we have to be all in. There are no part-time positions available in the Kingdom. We must be both hearers and doers. Our doing is not what gets us into Heaven, that is God’s grace. Our doing is, simply put, the proof that we believe what we are hearing. James addressed those who were being hearers in his age to be doers as well. He encouraged us in the preceding verses to shift our thinking and become quicker to hear, slower to speak, and slower to get angry.
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:19-21 (ESV)
We cannot focus on ourselves so much as though we look in a mirror and do not allow the Word to change us and identify who we truly are in Christ. The Word is a mirror — who is it reflecting in your life? Who are you looking for in its reflection, yourself or Jesus? Do you want to see more of Jesus in your life or more of yourself?
Be a doer of the Word, not simply a hearer. Seek Christ, and who you are in Him; therein is the real power of life — in the knowledge of who you are in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Father, we praise Your mighty and holy name and the name of Jesus. Lord, empower us to be doers and not simply hearers. Let us not be deceived by those who would have us to believe we do not have to obey your Word. Lord help us to be obedient and righteous servants, for Your Glory and Honor. Bless all who read, hear, and share these posts. I ask that You bless those who labor in and support this ministry. I ask this in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Christopher B. Cain
Minister of Evangelism and Discipleship
Alive Ministries USA