Do

Good Morning,

James 1:22 (New International Version)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 (New Living Translation)
But don't just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Yes, we all know this short, meaningful verse of Scripture. We've heard it and read it countless numbers of times in many different forms. Still, though, too many of us don't seem to fully comprehend what it is that God is telling us through James' pen.

We do SOME of the things that we hear and read in God's word and the messages God gives to us through those He has chosen to speak to us. But, unfortunately, we aren't as obedient as we ought to be, I don't think. What we human beings do is take it on ourselves to decide which parts, pieces, and sections of God's Word we want to put into practice by DOING. If something fits our personal sense of "well, this seems good" then that is what we will take on and actually go out and "do." But, if there's something that we sort of don't agree with or that we feel doesn't fit our lifestyle or our sensibilities in the right way, well, then we just sort of pass on the "doing" of that.

God's Word is NOT multiple choice. It isn't a pick and choose buffet of some kind where we just "do" those things we like and enjoy and feel right about. What God has put down for us in the Bible are what He would have us "DO" on a regular and ongoing basis. Even when we're not comfortable with the doing. Even when we find it hard in the doing.

You and I both know those things that we don't "do" because, well, I guess we just don't want to. Yes, there are many, many things that need "doing" and not just listening in the Bible. Of course, not every believer is chosen to do every thing, or carry out every idea that God puts before us as individuals. However, I firmly believe that God DOES choose us...you for this and me for that...to DO what He has put before us in His Word. That, my friends, is when we have to put our personal likes, dislikes, desires, and wants on the back burner and carry out exactly what James writes for us in this verse.

When God calls we have to "not merely listen to the word" and what it is He's telling us, but we have to "Do what it says," and be obedient to His calling.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David