But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing.
James 1:22-25
Those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere.... being doers who act, they will be blessed by their doing.
This is a possible summary of these four verses from James when he writes about those who listen to how we should respond as Christians but fail to be doers or to act accordingly
When one hears or reads these and other exhortations found in Scripture, it is often easy to agree with them and even resolve to follow such advice because it often makes sense and is inspiring. What happens, unfortunately, is that matters in our daily lives seem to interfere or divert our good intentions. Distractions or personal desires often hold sway tempting us to take a different path with the intent perhaps, if we remember, to return to the better goal later. In some degree or another, each of us, certainly me, fails to act or pursue the goals we know we should strive to attain which seem to reflect the Lord's course he would have us choose..The call is there but will we answer it? "Yes, but..." is not the appropriate response.
On the other hand, if we strive and persevere prayerfully to do God's will, to actually practice even with small or beginning steps, listening to how He might guide us, the way could well become less daunting, more achievable and ultimately a more fulfilling choice. If we fear to act or the prospects of a positive result look dim or overwhelming, another verse might well be helpful: Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The issue might not get solved, but doing God's will by listening to his guidance will surely be more of a blessing than turning away.
John Coe
James 1:22-25
Those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere.... being doers who act, they will be blessed by their doing.
This is a possible summary of these four verses from James when he writes about those who listen to how we should respond as Christians but fail to be doers or to act accordingly
When one hears or reads these and other exhortations found in Scripture, it is often easy to agree with them and even resolve to follow such advice because it often makes sense and is inspiring. What happens, unfortunately, is that matters in our daily lives seem to interfere or divert our good intentions. Distractions or personal desires often hold sway tempting us to take a different path with the intent perhaps, if we remember, to return to the better goal later. In some degree or another, each of us, certainly me, fails to act or pursue the goals we know we should strive to attain which seem to reflect the Lord's course he would have us choose..The call is there but will we answer it? "Yes, but..." is not the appropriate response.
On the other hand, if we strive and persevere prayerfully to do God's will, to actually practice even with small or beginning steps, listening to how He might guide us, the way could well become less daunting, more achievable and ultimately a more fulfilling choice. If we fear to act or the prospects of a positive result look dim or overwhelming, another verse might well be helpful: Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The issue might not get solved, but doing God's will by listening to his guidance will surely be more of a blessing than turning away.
John Coe
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