Thank you for allowing me to share part of your day with you! My goal and intent, as I share the Lord’s revelation, is that you would be challenged, encouraged, and uplifted in your walk with the Lord.

As those who believe the Bible is the Word of God, we need to ask ourselves, “Do others see evidence of my belief?” I’ve heard of those who were asked, “If you were tried in a court of law for being a follower of Christ, would you be convicted?” Many claim to read or listen to God’s Word. Reading the Word of God is always a good thing, however, it is not all that God requires of us.

My wife’s father wanted to build a home for his family. He went to carpenter’s school and studied extensively about how to build a house. Would all of that studying have been helpful for him if he had not built the house? There is a big difference between having a lot of head knowledge and actively using that knowledge to accomplish the task. Our actions speak louder than our words. Donna’s father could have claimed to be a carpenter, however, without his using that knowledge (which he did) there would be no proof that his statement was true. (He did not build houses as a career, he simply used that knowledge to build his family’s house.)

Today, we are going to look at Scriptures that will let us know what more, than being hearers of the Word, the Lord requires of us!

We see it quite poignantly in James 1:21-27 (NLT), “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 22 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror . 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” According to verse 22, if we believe it is sufficient to simply “hear” the Word of God, we are self-deceived in thinking that is enough. This verse reveals we must “do” what the Word says! After we hear the Word, we must put what we learn into action!

James 2:14 -20 (NLT), “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"--but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds." 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT), “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won 't collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." If there is no action following hearing, Jesus said it is like a person who builds a house on sand and it will collapse from the winds and floods that come. “Doing” what the Word of God commands stabilizes the foundation of our faith.

Then, we read in Romans 2:13 (NASB20), “for it is not the hearers of the Law (God’s Word) who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified.” This verse very pointedly tells us the ‘hearers’ only of the Word are not righteous before God, but the ‘doers’ of the Law will be justified! ‘Justified’, dikaioo in the Greek, means: to judge, declare, pronounce righteous and therefore acceptable.

Romans 12:2 (NASB20), “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” We are not to be conformed to the world and as we renew our mind, by filling it with the will of God (His Word), we will be able to live our lives in obedience to God.

2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 (Amplified Bible), “Every Scripture is God-breathed - given by His inspiration - and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness (that is, in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work,” Wow! This is why we are to have our minds renewed by the Word of God, and how we can then be able to live our lives in obedience to His Word!

God spoke to Joshua and made it clear that he and the nation of Israel were to meditate on God’s Word day and night. God then told Joshua, if they did that, they would prosper and have success. Joshua 1:8 (NLT), “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." Meditate in the Hebrew means : to moan, utter, speak, muse, or ponder (it involves sound as we speak).

In the New Living Translation, Jesus told Judas (not Iscariot) that if we love Him, we will do what He says. (John 14:23)

We can see the example of Jesus’ life for us to follow in the Gospels. He loved others, served others, sacrificed, shared the Gospel, spent much time in prayer, and knew the Word of God.

God’s Word is our life’s handbook. If we meditate on it day and night, we will learn what God’s desire for His children (believers) is, regarding: marriage, finances, discipline, worship and praise of God, dealing with sin, defending ourselves against the wiles of the devil, knowing how to live our lives to please Him, being examples to others, showing love, mercy, and grace to others, serving others, respecting our parents, raising our children, and knowing how to be like Jesus…!

The truth is - you can read or listen to the Word of God faithfully, however, if you do not act on it, you accomplish nothing.

Your testimony and potential to reflect Jesus to the world will be meaningful and successful when you act in obedience to the Word of God!

Do not be a hearer of the Word only!

Be a doer of the Word!

NLT New Living Translation

NASB20 New American Standard Bible 2020