Doers of the Word (James 1:22)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 09-03-03

 

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  Doers of the Word

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  James 1:22

 

            Message of the verse:  “22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”  (NASB)  “And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to.  If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself.”  (NLT)

            In Matthew 7:21-27 Jesus spoke of being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.  What does it mean to be a doer of the Word of God?  When a person becomes a believer in Jesus Christ and is saved by His grace I would believe that this is the first step in being a doer of the Word and not only a hearer of it, for I am sure that many people in this world have heard the Gospel and have not responded to it, but those who have, have become a doer of the Word. 

            What does it mean for a believer to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer of it?  First we as believers need to know the Word and what it teaches us to do before we can be a doer of the Word.  We need to be in the Word each and everyday of our lives in order to understand what it is that we are to be doing.  To memorize the Word so that we can then meditate upon the Word so that when the Lord gives us an opportunity to put His Word into action we will be ready to do so. 

            It takes faith to be a doer of the Word of God, just as Paul wrote:  “Colossians 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”  All believers are saved by grace through faith, and all of us are to walk in the very same way.

            Believers must also have courage to be a doer of the Word of God, especially when they could be persecuted for being a doer of the Word of God.  When Jesus Christ walked upon this earth He was doing the will of God, and because of that evil men killed Him for being a doer of what God His Father willed for Him to do.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Some times when I read the Word of God I get my toes stepped on, and this is one of those times.  It is easy at times to be a doer of the Word of God, but at other times it is easier to be a hearer of the Word and not put it into practice.  It takes courage and effort on my part to be a doer of the Word of God, but it also takes faith that what I am doing is what the Lord has for me to do at that time of my life.

 

The Word of God was again convicting to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to have a more sensitive spirit when it comes to walking by faith today.  I want to be a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only.