Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: 1 Chronicles 1-4
     New Testament Reading: James 1

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does (James 1:22-25).

James simply identifies himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (v1). But which James in the New Testament is he? Most all scholars attribute this book to James, the half-brother of Jesus and early leader in the church at Jerusalem.

The Bible dwells on two prominent themes in its sixty-six books; The Way to God, and the Walk with God. The first is directed to the lost, those dead in sin, and tells them how they can be saved. The second theme is aimed at Christians, explaining how to live in a manner pleasing to God. There is no other book in the Bible so dedicated to this second theme as this book of James. The main issue that prompted James to write is if you say you believe, why do you act like you don’t? Genuine faith produces genuine works. If you know the Lord Jesus, then that should be reflected in your life. You need to walk the talk!

A. W. Tozer said, “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun. It is the glaring disparity between theology and practice among professing Christians. It appears that too many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of feeling right but are not willing to endure the inconvenience of being right.”

James tells us to be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (v22). Notice that James doesn’t say just “be doers”. God isn’t looking for activists who don’t know His Word. Nor is He interested in hearers who know His Word, but does nothing. James plainly states that those who simply listen to sermons and Bible studies are deceiving themselves about their Christianity, and a sincere Believer will prove their authenticity by applying what they hear. Too many Christians mark their Bibles, but their Bibles never mark them. If you think you are spiritual because you hear the Word taught, then you are only kidding yourself.

James uses a classic metaphor of comparing God’s Word to a mirror. But unlike a mirror that only reflects outward appearance, the Scriptures reveal our inner character. The hearer James describes promptly forgets what both reflect; while the effectual doer gives careful attention to the Scriptures, responds positively, applies what they hear, and is genuinely fulfilled.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, had every reason to use his family ties with Christ to seek blessing and position. Instead, he remained humble enough to depend on his obedience and action to bring him blessings. As he said, a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does (v25).