Living by His Word
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25
From our text, if your desire is to have strong foundation in your life, you should not only hear God’s Word but you must do what it says. In the book of James, the common problem of ignoring the Word of God among those that claim they are believers in Christ was prominently addressed. The point of the book is that no matter how much knowledge one accumulates from reading the Word of God but if there is no willingness to follow the teachings then the accumulated knowledge means nothing. But the one who is committed to follow God’s Word is blessed. Your daily experience of obeying God and His Word will help you face challenges in the future. If you want to be a doer of the Word, develop the habit of searching His Word addressing specific area or need that you are presently experiencing. For example, if your struggle is in the area of making Him the priority of your life, ask God to reveal to you the truth from His Word that instructs you how to completely surrender your life to His leading. Ask these questions. What are the things or relationships that prevent me from focusing on God? Why does the Scripture is telling me to “seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33)? What is God’s promise when I make Him the priority of my life? What am I missing if I am not allowing Him to solely reign in my life? Accept God’s principle as the only dependable guide that will help you to go living the life He gave. Don’t hesitate to be obedient to what He says. If God is telling you from His Word that you need to forgive, obey His teaching even if the act of forgiving will be painful. Observe and anticipate the blessings that God will provide when you obey. Regularly express your gratefulness to the Lord’s daily provision in this way you will realize how God is helping you to trust Him. This process will prepare you as you face the testing of your faith. When you commit in building a foundation based on the truth found in His Word, it will require you to have a long-term commitment. It will take us a lifetime to learn God’s principles found in His Word. The more we learn God’s principles revealed from His Word, the more fully will His Word strengthen our Christian life.
