Listening and Doing

God's Living Word - James 1:23-25, NIV

Listening and Doing

²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Life Lesson

Obeying God’s Word is not always easy. Many of His commands require sacrifice and even suffering. This was true for those in the Jewish community who confessed Jesus as their Savior. They had to leave their homes and endure persecution for their testimonies. The Lord understands the difficulty in submitting ourselves to Him, but He still calls us to obey Him and allow Him to handle the consequences. We must apply His principles to our lives because that is the only way we will find true victory over sin and death – in Him. (The Charles F. Stanley, Life Principles Bible)

James at a Glance

Benefit:

James is a powerful and practical manual for applying our faith to our everyday life. With force, conviction and clarity, James asserts that an authentic faith is a faith that works; it is not merely verbal but visible, and it changes a believer’s conduct and character.

Author:

James, the Lord’s half-brother

Time and Place:

A.D. 40-50 / Probably Jerusalem

(Notes from The Leadership Bible, NIV © 1998)

May the reading of God’s Living Word touch your heart in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen!

Brother Rubin for IBC