Our scripture this morning is James 1:22-25.
But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does.
I remember as a kid, my mom had trouble getting me to clean my room. I heard what she asked and knew what was required, but as a boy of a certain age, cleaning was not at the top of my priority list. That meant the work often went undone.
I’ve found I’m not alone in this very human characteristic. We hear God’s word, we know in our hearts what we are asked to do, and then often don’t follow through with the necessary action.
Matthew 13:20-21 tells us “the seed sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away”.
It is good when we listen to the word, but not doing the work afterwards stifles the growth of the kingdom. Whether that lack is due to spiritual laziness or fear of the world’s response, the work goes undone. God’s word and our work must go together. He won’t judge us on our success, but He will judge us on our effort!
Gracious God, we are sorry for being rocky ground that does not bear the fruit You have planted in us. Forgive us and send us into the world that Your word may be heard and the work may continue. Amen.
