“Don’t just listen
to God’s word.
You must do what it
says.
Otherwise, you are
only
fooling yourselves.”
James 1:22 NLT
~~~~~~
I have been studying and sharing the Scriptures, in one way or another, for more
than fifty years. It has been a wonderful God-given privilege. It has
transformed my life and the lives of many who received the teaching. But I have
a confession to make. In studying the Word, I often saw passages as something
other people needed to hear and obey. And to be perfectly frank, my mindset is
still somewhat that way. I read a passage in the Bible or an article in a
Christian magazine or website, and right off I see how it applies to someone
else, and then only later realize – hey, I need to apply that to my life! Does
that ever happen to you, or am I the only one who does that?
Most
of us who go to church regularly love to hear good teaching and preaching of
the Word. While it is comforting and reassuring, it also informs us of what we
should and should not be doing. In Psalms David says, “Your
word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” God’s Word reveals dangerous obstacles
so we can avoid them, and it clearly illumines the right path to take. However,
seeing what to do is not the same as doing it. As this week’s Scripture says, “You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling
yourselves.” Wow, that
really hits us where we live. The greater understanding we have of the Word ,
the more responsible we are to live by it.
Jesus
says, “Why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’
when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes
to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person
building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the
floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is
well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a
house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it
will collapse into a heap of ruins.” The
part of our life which doesn’t obey the Lord suffers ruin. I see that as
applying to my life as well as yours.
“When we walk with
the Lord
in the light of His
Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us
still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey,
for there’s no
other way
To be happy in Jesus,
To be happy in Jesus,
but to trust and
obey.”
John
H. Sammis
