Doers!

Doers!

James 1:22 AMP

[22] But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

James was not writing to any specific church in a particular location, but was writing to the twelve tribes who, due to persecution, were now scattered abroad among the Gentiles. In those days, it was almost a taboo to be seen among the Gentiles. The Jews took pride in their nationalistic outlook, and considered those who inter-married with Gentiles as less than Jewish. That was the scene where the Jews of those times found themselves. Just reflect on the fact that before Jesus left the earth, his instruction was that His disciples would be witnesses of Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the other parts of the world. If those who know Christ stay in their comfort zone, how would others hear the good news of Jesus? God orchestrated it that those who were now armed with the right knowledge of Jesus were forced to move into the community of those who were yet to hear about Jesus. 

When uncomfortable things happen around or to you, do you ask God to clarify what His plan and purpose are for those experiences? Do I see God at work, when nothing seems to work? For the Jews at the time, amongst other things, there was a need for the spread of the word of God to all nations. The first part was now done, and the Jews who knew Jesus were now living among the Gentiles. How would I live my life in a way that would be evident to those who are unbelievers that I am different? It is in the fruits that you are able to determine the nature and quality of the seed. The fruit is the outward expression of secret and uncelebrated investment. This is achieved by the instruction in the verse above: prove yourselves doers of the Word. It is not a passive movement; it is active engagement with the Word, and then deliberate obedience, and then walking and working out what I have heard, seen and experienced from the Word. 

What the verse above encourages us to do is to actively and continually obey God’s precepts. I do not get to pick and choose the instructions I will obey. God's Word is His name, and I cannot accept just the nice  instructions that make me comfortable, and then conveniently ignore the ones that hold a light to my weaknesses. I internalise the lessons, and ask God for grace to let His Word change me from the inside, so that I can have impact on the outside. The world is ignorant, or chooses to ignore the realities of the importance of Jesus, but I have to make Him known. Anything that seeks to take away from the Word, or reduce its efficacy, is to be taken as delusion and unsound reasoning. Do not let anyone tell you anything about God's Word that you cannot find for yourself. God has given all of us access to Him. Seek Him; make Him yours, and let His Word do a work that will secure you for all of eternity. God's time of favour is here.