doers and/or hearers of the word?

March 26, 2010

James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves… 25. But one who looks intently into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer by an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

I guess that’s why some people keep “going to church” year after year, being taught “the basics” over and over and over (s/a Heb 6:1ff), and seem to be content to stay at that level. Some even seem content to keep “falling away” and needing to be “brought back” and re-taught over and over. Maybe because those who are teaching them, have told them that “falling away” is inevitable. Maybe because it is a way for “churches/ church leaders to maintain control, and to continue to be “needed.” Maybe cause they’ve stayed hearers, and haven’t stepped out into Your kingdom and become doers. Maybe because they are afraid they will fail if they step out – but they don’t need to be afraid! They have Your Spirit. And You will never forsake them…

And maturity comes from doing – from being Your child, growing up in You, obeying (and thus acting upon) Your word, joining our spirits to Your Spirit… not just sitting around talking about You.

“They’ll know we are Christians by our love” – and Your love is always a verb, an action… not just sweet words and/or mushy feelings. Obedience means “doing” what one has been told, not just saying, “Yes, yes,” but not doing it.

James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, but yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless (hmmm…. Too much talk, without action, without moving out into Your work, can sure lead to strange ideas, can’t it… and to arguing… and to turning back to “works of the law” – Gal 3 – instead of to the works of Your kingdom)…
27. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (too much talk and not enough action, can also lead to idleness and boredom… and slipping into evil…)

(Thank You!)