LIVE BY THE WORD OF GOD

30th JUNE 2022

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. …” James 1:22-27

The Scriptures tell us how God wants His children to live among themselves and relate with Him as their father and God. When we live our lives as commanded in God’s word, we worship God specially and uniquely. Today’s word tells us to be hearers and doers of the word same time. To be hearers alone and not act or do what the word says is to celebrate lies or insincerity as in unholy wedlock. One cardinal reason some tend to forego obedience to the scriptures is the lack of understanding of what is expected of them as Christians.  Many also do not understand the nature of God and so do not remember that each human being is carrying the spirit of God in him\her. Perhaps, this could be one of the reasons Jesus says, “whatever you do to the least of these brethren, that you have done to me” this tells us how passionate God is about the comfort and wellbeing of everyone.

But you may ask, If God is passionate about humanity, why do we live as if God does not love us?  The reason for that is multidimensional. One reason could be that God is punishing us for our sins. Another reason could be that we have not asked properly about the things that we desire.  Also, it could be that, our blessings are either being delayed, but not denied, or that we have not taken the right steps to activate the blessings of God in our lives.

We need to do more of the word of God, so as to receive the manifestation of God’s promises in our lives. Lack of faith in God is a hindrance to God’s promises in our lives, for, without faith, it is difficult to please God. If God is not pleased with us, then, He might not fulfil His word in our lives!

Today, we are called upon to do the word of God. There are characteristics or behaviour usually exhibited by those who do less of the word of God: 

1. they do not believe in giving to the poor: they believe the poor should take care of themselves. 

2. They are envious of God’s love, mercy, grace and goodness in the life of others. Envy leads us astray from the path of holiness and destroys the light of God in us. 

3. They constantly lie against others, exaggerate facts, or are economical with the truth, making it look like they are good while others are bad. I’m afraid that’s not right; it’s not good to give a dog a bad name to have reasons to hang it. 

4. They are constantly pretentious, lie to themselves, hide their sins and condemn others instead. That is not right; confess your sins regularly and seek the face of God in moments of trouble. 

5. They are usually proud and arrogant, and tend to arrogate too much knowledge to themselves.

Beloved, not doing the word will make you stagnant in your spiritual growth. No matter how you pretend about your relationship with God, God knows the truth about your weaknesses, and He is constantly jotting down your lapses. 

Beloved, this is the time to adjust your life and be straight with God. Our success in life is wholly dependent on our relationship with God, and the good things that we do. Therefore, those who live according to God’s word find their direction in the scriptures and find resources therein.

PRAYER

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I declare I am transformed in mind and body. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I declare that my ways are changed positively towards others. I give light in place of darkness; relief in place of pains; provisions in place of wants; joy in place of sadness. Lord, grant me an opportunity to transform lives and live following thy word. AMEN. 

FURTHER READING: James 1:21; Luke 11:28