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Blessed doers of God’s Word

Scripture reading for October 5th: Jeremiah 17-20, James 1

James 1: 19-25 “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. 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. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

James was the pastor of the Jewish church in Jerusalem and the half-brother of Jesus Christ. He wrote affectionately to the church very clear and strong instruction about the importance of obedience to God’s Word. Many in the church were familiar with God’s Word in the Old Testament but they were still living in sin and wickedness and became angry when confronted with truth. James encouraged them to quickly hear and apply the Word of God. Failure to do so would lead to self-deception and worthless religion. True religion involved hearing God’s heart in His Word and applying it. Two areas of application Paul mentioned were visiting orphans and widows and living free from the corruption of Corinthian culture.

James 1:26-27 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the clear instructions written down by James for Your Church. Forgive me for being a hearer and sometimes failing to do what You have said. Help me to care for orphans and widows and to serve the hurting and helpless around me. As I look in the mirror of Your Word, may I see who I really am and remove the stains of worldliness and sin and live in Your smile and blessing.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”