Be Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only

Luke 8:21 ...'My mother and my brethren are these which hear the Word of God, and do it.'

Many of us today are guilty of being hearers of the Word only and not doers, and yet it is of vital importance that we not only read the Word of God, but also live it. If we only read the Bible and don't live it in our lives, then we will be no different to the rest of the world. Just "knowing" the truth isn't going to save anyone, that knowledge must be put into action in our lives. Does "knowing" about Jesus save us? No, once we come to know Him, we must become a doer and give our lives to Him.

There is also another thing many of us are guilty of, and that is only doing certain things in the Word, picking and choosing what we like. Whatever truth we come to a knowledge of, we must put into action in our lives and become a doer of that truth. For instance, does it do us any good to accept Jesus into our lives, but not keep His commandments? No, we must become doers of ALL TRUTH that we receive through His Word.

James 1:22 ...'But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.'

So what happens if we are only hearers of the Word? We are deceived! If we think we are saved by just reading the Bible and going to church once a week, we DECEIVE ourselves. We MUST become active doers of the Word and the truth that Christ Jesus reveals to us.

James 1:23-25 ...'For if any be a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way and straight away forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.'

What do you look like to the rest of the world? Do you look like a Christian by your deeds and actions? Or do you, as it says above, study the Word of God and accept what it says, but when you put the Bible down and go out into the world, you forget what God was telling you and continue to live a worldly life? If so, then you are deceiving yourself. But, if you heed what the Word says and become a doer of that word, then you will be blessed indeed.

If you would like to look into the "perfect law of liberty", please see the Bible ten commandments.

Romans 11:21 ...'For if God spared not the natural branches, TAKE HEED, lest He also spare not thee.'

The natural branches were the Jews, and they were broken off because they were not doers of God's Word. So we need to heed this warning and be doers of His Word, lest we fall into condemnation and He "spare not thee" also. And if we become doers and not hearers only, then we will be blessed indeed:

Revelation 22:14 ...'Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates of the city.'

What a reward there is awaiting all those who are prepared to follow in the Lord Jesus' footsteps and obey His commands; eternal life with the Lord Jesus in the New Jerusalem and on the new earth. Now there will be things that we are fond of in this life that we have to sacrifice in order to follow the Lord Jesus, but it will be worth it indeed. This life is so short and this world is soon to pass away. Place your mind on heavenly things and always seek to do God's will.

So be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Jesus is coming back soon, are you ready for Him?