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James 1:22-25
As we begin to dissect this passage, we must first understand that these words were written to a group of people that had already professed Jesus to be their Lord and Savior; they were believers and followers of Jesus Christ. I believe that this passage and on into chapter two of the letter written by James, the brother of Jesus, is interpreted incorrectly by many people with good intentions, but yet are caught up in the trickery of Satan in misinterpretation of this passage in his attempt to prevent people from accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior and believing falsely that simply doing good works will be enough to earn one’s salvation, which is a false interpretation of the Scripture. So I will repeat myself, “these words were written to a group of people that had already professed Jesus to be their Lord and Savior; they were believers and followers of Jesus Christ.”
James tells us in James 1:22 (NKJV), “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” This is a statement that cannot be taken in part and remain in the proper context of the teaching. James tells us to be doers of the word. That is great, and we are called by God to be active in our relationship with Him; we are not to be couch-potato Christians. But James goes on to say that we should not be hearers only, which is deceiving ourselves. “Jesus cried out and said,” (John 12:44, NKJV), and then goes on to proclaim in John 12:44-50, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told me, so I speak.”
First, we must hear the word of God. Without hearing the word of God we cannot come to the saving faith that is required for salvation in Christ Jesus. Then, after we have heard the word of God and believed in our hearts that Jesus died for our sins, which leads us to repentance from sin to asking with a sincere heart for forgiveness from Jesus in that He paid our price to sin, which is death, but was raised from the dead in victory over sin, death, and Satan; then we are to be doers of the word in being active in our new life of forgiveness – to show the love that Jesus first showed to us, to others.
We pick up now in James 1:23-25 which is describing the unprofitable life in which one would be living if one were to hear God’s word and do nothing to show it. But one who hears God’s word and is a doer of the lesson that was learned through the hearing of God’s word will be blessed by God for what he/she does (James 1:25).
This is a command to apply the lessons we learn from God’s word into our lives.
We all, as believers; as Christians who have professed Jesus our Lord and Savior, are called by God to a new life in Christ Jesus and are given a purpose for this life in which God has granted us by His grace. We all may have different callings from God but nevertheless are called into action in the individual callings He gives us. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:6 (NIV), “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is fiving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Showing the love of Christ Jesus can be as simple as sharing a kind word with someone who is having a bad day or lending a hand to someone in need. But whatever calling God has given you, or if you are unaware of what calling God has for you; ask Him in prayer to guide you to what He will have of you in bringing glory to Him – yes bringing glory to Him, because that is what we are doing when we are obeying the calling God has put in our hearts.
Dear LORD,
We love to hear Your word and of the blessings You have for those who will put their faith in You through salvation in Jesus. But help us to see that we are called to a purpose in Christ Jesus that will bring glory to You through our obedience to You. Please help us to see that we need Your help each step of the way in fulfilling the calling that You give us, that we would seek Your guidance through prayer with sincere hearts and put into action the calling You give us. In Jesus name I pray, amen.