James 1:17-27 (NRSV)
Read James 1:17-27 on biblegateway.com
Verse 17Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Verse 18In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Verse 19You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; Verse 20for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Verse 21Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. Verse 22But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. Verse 23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; Verse 24for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. Verse 25But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-they will be blessed in their doing. Verse 26If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Verse 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Devotion
James reminds readers to be “doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” They must not be content with merely hearing God’s word; they must also do it.
For several months I have been in physical therapy following a car accident. In therapy, I am not allowed to be merely a “hearer” or a “watcher.” I must be a “doer.” If I only watch, I may grasp the exercises on a theoretical level, but I will not move toward healing. As I practice, though, I grow in strength, slowly but surely.
So, too, is our life in Christ. If we only hear God’s word, we may grasp God’s commandments on a theoretical level, but we will not move toward wholeness. Instead, we must be “doers” and not merely “hearers”; we must practice doing God’s word, and then we will grow in faith and works, slowly but surely.
Prayer
Faithful God, encourage us to practice hearing your word and doing it, that others may be blessed through our words and our actions. Amen.