Recap
The last few days I have been trying to get to James 1:22. But there was a ton of material to get through with the proceeding verses. Briefly, here’s the run-down.
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:19-22
What we covered so far
These verses were written to Christians. We are to be quick to hear the word so that it becomes the implanted word. That is the path to righteousness. Running your mouth in anger does not produce righteousness. How do you put away filthiness and rampant wickedness? To answer that question, we leaned on Peter.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
2 Peter 1:3-10
For a thorough going, scripture-filled, guide to the steps listed in 2 Peter above, please see Day 7.1.
What you gettin’ at?
All of these studies were preludes to James 1:22. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Doers not hearers only
In the article from Day 1.0, when we started with James, I mentioned the practical nature of the book of James. James focuses on actions. If you read any of the previous days, you’ll see James is an instructor. He is telling the Christians to whom he writes what to do and what not to do. James also instructs us to change our perspective. Previously, Day 2.0, I wrote a brief list of these instructions from James 1. But, for the sake of today’s article, I’ll try to sum them up here.
What to do (James 1)
- Face trials with joy
- Continue in steadfastness. (We defined this on Day 7.1 as increasing in virtue, knowledge of the word, and self-control over long years.)
- Ask God for wisdom
- Ask in faith
- Be quick to hear. (We defined this on Day 2.0 as quick to hear the word of God.)
- Be slow to speak and slow to anger
- Put away filthiness and rampant wickedness
- Receive with meekness the implanted word
- Be doers of the word. (Today’s focus)
- Read God’s word, and persevere
- Bridle the tongue
- Visit those in need. (Specifically, James 1:27 mentions widows and orphans, but cultures being various, I suggest we should apply this to any of the downtrodden.)
Neddy no-nos (what not to do)
- Grumble, feel sorry for yourself, or otherwise lash out at God or others when you face trials. (Implied)
- Doubt in the Lord while praying to Him
- Blame God for temptation
- Be deceived, thinking we are responsible for our own good fortune
- Speak in anger hoping to produce righteousness
- Wallow in filthiness and wickedness (Implied)
- Hear the word, then take no action
- Believe we are religious without disciplining our speech
- Neglect those in need (Implied)
Perspective: Who God is, and who we are to be (in the order they appear in James 1)
- Our perfection and completion are the full effect of steadfastness
- God gives generously to those who ask in faith
- People of faith
- God promises the crown of life to those who stand the test and love him
- People who love God
- God has given us everything
- God does not change
- Christians are the fruit of the word of truth
- People of righteousness
- People of the implanted word
- Doers of the word
- Those who guard their tongues
- Those who visit the downtrodden
- People unstained by the world
Doers of the word
I hear you. You are asking, “How can we be doers of the word?” Glad you asked. For one, you can stop what you are doing, go to James 1, and read it for yourself. Meditate on it. Think about how to apply it. Compare it to the lists above. Put what James writes into practice. Aside from James 1, there’s the rest of James. Aside from James there is the rest of scripture.
If you are struggling putting the word into practice, here are a few verses and some encouragement. But, the most basic, Sunday school answer (which is 100% true) is this: Read your Bible. Pray every day. And, you’ll grow.
Faith
You cannot read scripture and try to practice it without faith. Most likely, if you have no faith, you wouldn’t even try to be doers of the word. (Glad you are here all the same!) But, just in case anyone reading this has not believed in Christ. Let’s start there, then move on to verses on doing what the word says.
Going to mostly leave out commentary. My words can do nothing. But, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
The unbeliever
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;
Proverbs 20:9
I am clean from my sin”?
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is none who does good.2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,[a]
who seek after God.3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;
Psalm 14:1-3
there is none who does good,
not even one.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:18-22
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:20-23
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
Christ and salvation
31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
John 12:31-33
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit
1 Peter 3:18
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:12-13
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13
Practicing the word
Here is some encouragement for those Christians desiring to be doers of the word. I really believe that after you have been given a heart of faith, the next step is the renewal of your mind. Please see Day 7.1 for even more scripture related to the mind.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:9-10
Proofs
Lastly, I want to encourage some self-examination. Are we being doers of the word? Here are two verses to leave you with. The first is from Matthew, Christ’s own words. Please keep James 1 in mind, as you read.
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Matthew 7:24-27
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:1-11
Let us build our house on the solid foundation of Christ and his word. Let us bear much fruit by being doers of the word.
