Obey the Word

Obey the Word?

Jefferson Sole

A common question posed to young men and women is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Depending on their age, this question is usually used to initiate a conversation about the occupation they envision themselves pursuing in the future. In James 1:19-21, the writer encouraged Christians (“brethren,” 1:19) to listen (1:19) and receive (1:21) the “word of truth” (1:18), but in James 1:19-27 he reminded Christians that listening and receiving is not an end; there is more involved in being a “spiritual grownup.”

Almost everyone knows that “to be something” you must “do something,” but not everyone is willing to put forth the effort. It is not uncommon for a young person who aspires to become a doctor to shrivel at the thought of long hours in the library, countless tests and lengthy term papers. In no uncertain terms, they want to be a doctor, but they do not want to put forth the effort. Therefore, their aspirations will never become a reality. They may insist they will still become a doctor, but everyone knows they are deceiving themselves. James commanded Christians, “but be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). In other words, they were to be continuous doers (James 1:22-23, 25; 4:11; Acts 17:28; Romans 2:13) of the Word; it was to be their habitual occupation. In contrast, they should resist the temptation of being “hearers only.” The word translated “hearers” is found four times in the New Testament (James 1:22-23, 25; Romans 2:13) and is used in ancient writings of those who were regular attendees at lectures but who never became disciples. Like an aspiring doctor who refuses to exert any effort to achieve his goals, those who are “hearers only” of the Gospel deceive (“delude”) themselves into thinking they are in a right relationship with God. James likens those who are “hearers only” to a man who looks at himself in a mirror but “goeth” and “forgetteth.” The words do not resonate; he is simply auditing his Christianity.

James described the “doer of the word” in verse 25 with these words, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” Both the “hearer only” and “doer” considered their appearance in the mirror. Presumably, they looked at their appearance in the same mirror, the perfect (2 Timothy 3:16-17) law (Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21) of liberty (Romans 8:2). The difference between the “hearer only” and the “doer” is their persistence in the Word. The hearer only “goeth” and “forgetteth” (James 1:24) while the doer “continueth” in the Word. The word translated “continueth” means to “remain,” and therefore, it moves him to be a “doer of the work.”

What do you want to be when the day of reckoning is at hand (2 Corinthians 5:10)? Do you want to be blessed in your deed (James 1:25)? If you do, it is going to take persistent action to achieve your goal (James 2:16-26). Those who think otherwise are deceiving themselves.