1/2/2024

Our scripture this morning is James 1:22-25.

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Hearing God’s word and doing God’s work are prominent themes in the Letter of James. He doesn’t say we can earn our way into salvation, only Christ’s sacrifice for us and our repentance can do that. However, he emphasizes the fact that our acceptance of Christ compels us to share His love and do the work to which we are called.

James goes further with this, telling us ”For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). He indicates that just knowing God’s word is not enough; we must live out what we have been taught. If Jesus had been “just a teacher” He could have stayed where He was and spoken to people. That isn’t God’s plan for any of us!

James exhorts us to be “doers of the word”, active in our faith and involved in the mission Jesus gave to us. Our Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations. Each of us have been given unique gifts to share our faith and God’s love with the world.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us from our sin. Bless us to be the disciples of today, going to all people in Your name. Amen.

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