NOTE: This is the
third of three articles on James 1. It
builds from part 1 and 2, which can be found below.
Why are Christians often frustrated with their lives, or
things in their lives? The Bible tells
us that we can overcome all things, do all things through Christ, and be filled
with joy and peace. What is happening
if that is not what your life is like?
The book of James addresses one very real cause for such things.
In the first two articles on James 1, we looked at the
instructions to come to God’s truth with the right attitude, and then to
receive His truth, owning it as our own, as part of us. However, James 1:22-24 tells us that knowing
it, understanding it, or even owning it as our own isn’t enough. In fact, if that is all you do, you have
missed the whole point. Once you
receive the Word, you have gained nothing until you do what it says.
To make the point, James tells us that knowing God’s truth
and not doing what it says is “deluding yourself.” And, this delusion is like someone looking at themselves in the
mirror and recognizing who they are, and then, later that day, looking at
themselves in a mirror and not knowing that that is them. This would either be the most severe stupidity
you have ever seen, or a severe brain condition.
Just imagine that happening. Someone you know looks at themselves in the mirror and realizes
who they are. Then, a few minutes
later, they look at themselves in another mirror and they honestly don’t know
who that guy is. What would you
do? You would take them immediately to
the hospital. You know something is
significantly wrong, because they are not capable of that level of radical
unintelligence.
This passage is talking about a person who knows Jesus, and
understands that the Bible is the Word of God.
The book that contains the truths of life and death for eternity. The truth of how to have a dynamic
relationship with the Creator of all things, right here and right now. A relationship that can overcome all things,
and brings about abundant life. If you
know these truths, but don’t “do” them, than that is sheer foolishness.
In reality, knowledge that you won’t use is worthless. That guy that walked across the Grand Canyon
on a high wire can teach me everything he knows about high wire walking. I believe that he knows what it takes to do
it safely – I saw him do it. But
anything he teaches me is wasted time, and wasted knowledge. I ain’t never getting up on one of those
things, I can assure you. That
knowledge is worthless to me.
On the other hand, James tells us that if you do receive
God’s Truth, and do what it says, you will be “blessed” in what you do. This is a simple truth. Do what God tells you and it will produce
results. The type of results in your
life that your Creator, the God of the universe, who loves you as your Father,
intends.
Do you really believe the Word of God? Do you believe that it is what God says it
is, and will do for you what He says it will?
If so, do what it says.
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