Be Doers

Administration Pastor Nick Klempp

Read:  James 1:22-25

James reminds us that hearing God’s Word is not enough—we

must act on it. Many of us attend church, read the Bible, and

listen to sermons, but if we don’t apply God’s truth to our lives,

we deceive ourselves. How is that deceiving? We think that just

by passively checking off a box we are doing what God wants us

to do, that by just hearing something we are good, instead of that

something leading to a change in our life.

God’s Word reflects our spiritual condition. James is saying it is

just as foolish for someone to forget what they look like as it is

for us to hear God’s word and then not act on it. If we

fail to respond to what God shows us, we remain unchanged.

However, James highlights the blessing of obedience. The one

who looks intently into God’s Word and follows it, experiences

true freedom and fulfillment. We can so easily get tricked by the

world into thinking that God’s way is hurtful, mean, unfair, not

inclusive, and sometimes even hateful but when we obey God,

we walk in His will, grow in faith, and receive His blessings. It

is a true freedom that comes only through Jesus and from

obedience in God. There are around 30 verses that talk about

freedom in scripture, and they don’t talk about doing what feels

good, what seems right, or what the majority do, but what it

means to follow God’s truth! It is freedom that…

·       Involves receiving Jesus’ love and forgiveness

·       Involves being set free from sin and bondage

·       Involves living in holiness

·       Involves being restored/a new creation

Galatians 5:1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us

free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be

burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

As a shameless plug, this is why I love so much that The

Journey Church has started grow groups back up again; it is a

way for us to put into action things that we all have heard for so

many years. They are life changing and are a way to see real

transformation in your life and have the accountability to help

you get there. So, shameless plug; if you feel like you need to

grow closer to God and closer to what God wants for his church,

join a group this fall - it is not easy, it will be difficult, but the

results are worth it!

1.     Examine your life in the light of Scripture. Is there an area where you need to obey God more fully?

2.     Move from passive listening to active faith. What step can you take today to put God’s Word into practice?

3.     Who is someone outside of a significant other that you can ask to help hold you accountable to doing God’s word?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, help me not only to hear Your Word but

to live your word so that others can know your love. May I walk

in obedience by following You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.