Do What It Says

November 9

Ezekiel 23-24

Psalm 119:137-144

Proverbs 27:3-4

James 1:19-27

Do What It Says

“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” 

James 1:22-25 NIV

This passage makes it very clear that we are accountable for what we know.  Jesus explained in Luke 12:47-48 that those who know the master’s will and don’t do it will be held to a higher standard than those who don’t know or understand.  “For everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48b NIV  These are sobering verses for those of us who have grown up in the church or have walked with the Lord for a long time.  We will be held accountable to God for the knowledge that has been entrusted to us.  Have we been wise with what He has given us?  Are we listening and doing what He says?  Sometimes when we have been in church a long time, we get lazy.  We think we know what we are supposed to do so we get into a pattern of just going through the motions.  We go to church each week and hear the sermon, but it goes in one ear and out the other without really impacting our lives.  Do we spend time during the week contemplating what we heard?  Do we ask God what He wants us to learn from it?  Or can we even remember what it was about?  We have a devotional time and read our Bibles, but are we letting God’s Word take root and change our hearts?  Are we letting God lead, guide, and direct us through His Word?  “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12 LSB 

God’s Word is effective.  Through the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, God can speak to us through the words of the Bible.  He can direct our steps and make our path clear.  “And your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 LSB  “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105 LSB   God won’t shout His instructions.  We have to listen to hear His voice.  We have to be intentional and purposeful to slow down and seek Him.  The more time we spend with Him the easier it will be to hear and recognize His voice.  “My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:22 LSB   There are lots of voices trying to get our attention.   Who are we listening to?