Blessed Obedience!
Scripture reading for October 31: James 1
“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. 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.” James 1:22-27
James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ and the pastor of the Jewish congregation in Jerusalem. He wrote this letter to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion.” (James 1:1) This dispersion took place after the persecution of followers of Christ by the Jews and Romans. James wrote to encourage these believers who were being tested by trials to count it all joy. (James 1:2) Their attitude was critical to staying in the faith and pressing through each trial. God was at work to strengthen their faith and add spiritual depth to each person. (James 1:4)
James emphasized a key to staying in the faith. Each believer must become a doer of the Word and not just one who heard it. If there was no application of God’s Word, deception would overtake believers. A steady diet of God’s Word through public reading of Scripture, preaching, and teaching would bring hearts to focus on Jesus and His great example of perfect obedience. As we do the Word, the blessing of pleasing God and living the abundant life in the power of the Holy Spirit brings joy and fruitfulness, even in the midst of trials. Believers must guard their lips and be careful to speak faith and apply God’s Word. As examples of ‘true religion, James encourages the ministry to orphans and widows. God’s heart is to care for these hurting members of Christ’s church. When we are busy doing God’s work and Word, there will be little or no time to become stained by the culture of worldliness. We are not saved by our works, but rather our works demonstrate our true relationship to Jesus Christ.
How do you normally react when you encounter a trial or severe test of your faith? What were some suggestions that James brought out to help us through our trials? What is one suggestion that you could begin to apply to your life today?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the trials of life that come to test our faith. Forgive me when I have not approached the trials with joy and humility to learn and grow. Help me to bridle my tongue as I go through trials and to focus on Jesus and His Word as my source of direction and ground of faith. Amen.
0 thoughts on “Blessed Obedience!”