DO NOT MERELY LISTEN TO THE WORD

[Imagine; you completed the pre-med program at UTK, you finish medical school and graduate as a Doctor, then you go home, mount your medical degree on the wall, sit in you recliner and draw welfare! Just hearing and learning without doing will not make you a good doctor! You must DO what you have learned! The same applies to the Word of God, we must not just hear the word we must 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.” (Jam. 1:22-24) [Our testimony is empowered by WHAT WE DO, not just by what we say!] “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, DOING THE WILL OF GOD FROM YOUR HEART.” (Eph. 6:5-6) [The law of liberty means the Gospel; it is a law, because it enforces responsibilities from God, and supporters a rule of life; it punishes offenders, and rewards the obedient. The Gospel, nevertheless, is a law that gives freedom from the guilt, and gives power, dominion, and influence over sin; and it is perfect, providing the richness of salvation for the soul: and it may be called perfect here, unlike the law, which was a structure of types and representations of which the Gospel is the sum and substance!] “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.” (Jam. 1:25) [Of our “doing more” he first speaks of our love to God and each other; and mainly to the poor and distressed: and then followed our faith, our loyalty, to the grace we have received; and service, and attention; properly spirituality and compassionate service to widows, orphans, and the poor in general! So Jesus says to us:] “I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that YOU ARE NOW DOING MORE than you did at first.” (Rev. 2:19)

Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that WE MUST BE DOING THE WILL OF GOD FROM OUR HEART! -Bill Stockham