Doer of the Word

  

James 1:19-25 “ Know this, my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ: 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.”

 

Communication is the act of imparting, conferring, or delivering, from one to another; as the communication of knowledge, opinions or facts. Intercourse by words, letters or messages; interchange of thoughts or opinions, by conference or other means. We have an intercourse with neighbors and friends in mutual visits and in social concerns. An interchange of knowledge; correspondence; good understanding between people. 1 Corinthians 15:33 states that “Evil communications corrupt good manners”, the word intercourse may signify conversation, colloquial discourses, or customary association and familiarity. The Greek word for “communications” here is “homilia” meaning companionship, intercourse, or communion. It takes being a good listener [quick to hear], one who thinks before they speak [slow to speak] and keeping cool; having a long fuse [slow to anger]. 

 

Anger is a reactionary emotion; a violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury; usually accompanied with a propensity to take vengeance, or to obtain satisfaction from the offending party. The anger of man that in grounded in hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, and division is a part of the sin nature and does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, the Apostle James instructs us to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted Word of God, which is able to save your souls. Be readers of the Word, hearers of the Word, receivers of the Word and Doers of the Word. 

 

2 Timothy 3:15-17 states that “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” We are to live in a posture of listening to God and others, but the Word of God drives us to action. Ephesians 2:8-10 declares that “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Born-again Believers, the children of God, citizens of the kingdom of Heaven, who looks into the perfect Word of God, the perfect Law of God, the law of liberty, and perseveres; being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts and does good, godly kingdom works on earth. That is a doer of the Word.

 

In Christ, Brian