Today's Scripture: James 1:19-25
"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 you had to describe yourself to a sketch artist, could you do so accurately?
Some years ago, the soap brand Dove ran an ad for their soap. An FBI-trained sketch artist was hired to do two sketches of several different ladies. The first sketch was from the ladies' own description of themselves (the artist couldn't see them). The second was from descriptions of strangers who met them earlier.
Interestingly, it was the sketch based on the description of strangers that was the most accurate. The sketch based on the self-description was hardly recognizable.
The Apostle James knew of this phenomenon. In today's passage, he points out that we forget what we look like as soon as we walk away from a mirror. He does so to illustrate that we are to actually "do" the word of God, not just hear it.
James also reminds us of turning from and turning to. In other words, doing a reset. He writes in verse 21, "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."
In writing to a group of believers, James reminds them that the word of God is permanently established within them. The same is true for believers today. With the word of God deeply set within us, we are to receive it and live by it. Or, as he put it, be doers of the word and not hearers only.
And that brings us to the thought for today in verse 25. There is a process in this verse that highlights a relationship with God. We gaze intently into God's perfect law, his word. We live by it in accordance with its teachings such that we grow to be more like Jesus. It shapes our thinking and gives a foundation for the decisions we make.
As you do these things, as you receive the word of God implanted in you, live by it, and heed its instructions, you will be blessed by God.
Think about it …
- Is there a part of God's word that is particularly hard for you to do?
- If so, why, and how might you overcome that difficulty?
- Is there something that God has been nudging you to do for Him that you've been resisting?
- If so, what will you do with that?
