James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Matthew 7:21-25 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Luke 6:46-48 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Luke 11:28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Obadiah 1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?”
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
It does not take much reading of scripture to be reminded of being “Doers of the Word” – “Keepers of the Word” – “Keeping oneself Unstained from the world” God speaks to us through His word from either reading it or hearing others read it. If we spend the time in it we find hope, peace, guidance, and encouragement for the trials that surely follow each day.
How are we to keep unstained if we are not aware of what causes the staining? How are we to be doers if we don’t know what to do? Do we think for a second that we are guiltless or won’t be judged for neglecting His word?
Satan implants lies into our minds. He tells us we are ok enough. He tells us we are better than others. He tells us that we are too busy. Too tired. He tells us we get enough of God’s word on Sunday. He tells us we are content with how we are living for God. He tells us we are not good enough or know enough to be of any value in spreading the Gospel or making disciples. He tells us tomorrow we will have more time for God. He tells us we deserve a break from serving God. He tempts us with stuff that will never satisfy our soul. He looks to confuse and cause division. He deceives us with partial truths and we have not spent enough time in God’s word to know we are being deceived.
Be hearers – read and study God’s word
Be doers – obey God’s word
