HEARERS AND DOERS OF THE WORD. GOOD GRACIOUS LORD, CLOSE MY MOUTH AND OPEN MY EARS THAT I MAY HEAR YOU AND DO YOUR BIDDING. AMEN. James 1:19-27 HOW DO YOU DO AND TREAT THE WORD YOU HAVE HEARD? Think of a time when you have found yourself in a misunderstanding because you spoke first rather than listened. Even though we have two ears and one mouth, we usually speak more than we listen. James put listening, speaking, and growing angry in the same thought (James 1:19). Might listening better and more often reduce how quickly we grow angry? James warned of the pitfalls of being angry. Just as anger damages our relationships with other people, anger creates a stumbling block in our relationship with God (verse 20). James offered advice in shrinking our anger: Set aside moral filth, and guard against the growth of wickedness (verse 21). How might doing so with humility calm our anger? James encourages us to turn to the Word, too (verse 21). How can spending time in Scripture calm our anger? James said the Word is planted deep inside us (verse 21). God ingrained the desire to spend time in Scripture within us. If we believe Gods Word has the power to save us (verse 21), how does that affect our listening, speaking, anger, and relationships with others and with God? If the Word of God has the power to change how we live, then we must hear what the Word has to say. James calls us to hear the Word and then to do what the Word says (verse 22). We have to know what is in the Word if we are to do the Word. We have to hear the Word to know what we are to do. The Word calls us to action but only if we know what the Word says. Recall the passages we read earlier this week. How might we retain and internalize Scripture (verses 23-24)? James commended those who put the teachings of God into practice (verse 25). He did not say simply to make the Word part of our lives. Instead, he encourages us to make it a practice in our lives. Practice implies a daily habit or routine. Healthy eating and living become a practice in our lives through education, dedication, conscious effort, and commitment. The same is true for the Word. To be a hearer and a doer of the Word takes daily practice and commitment. Hearing and doing the Word produces true devotion to God. What is the connection between action and devotion? Caring for the orphans and widows means caring for societys most vulnerable (verse 27). Who are the most vulnerable in our society today? The homeless? the mentally ill? children and the elderly? wounded veterans? When we do the Word by serving the vulnerable, we demonstrate the true devotion God desires. When we do the work of the Kingdom, we worship God. Spend time in Scripture. Listen. Then do and serve others. Worship the risen Lord.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 15:33:12 +0000
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