“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV

What Are You Trying To Do?

 “What are you trying to do, Daddy?” Already more than halfway to exasperated, his face revealed his obvious disdain for my terminology when he replied, “I am not TRYING to do anything! I am DOING it!” He was working on whatever appliance was currently demanding repair, and he did not appreciate the implication that he was “trying” to fix it. As a perfectionist, he found it sometimes frustrating to work on an old, broken down appliance. As a child, I loved to tease him, and always said it on purpose, even into his old age.

When assembling an item, my dad would read the instruction manual from cover to cover and he did exactly what it said to do. He read his Bible in the same manner. The Bible was his instruction manual. He didn’t just read it; he followed the instructions, doing what it told him to do.

Likewise, we are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers. What does doing the word look like? It is putting feet on our faith and doing what the Word says to do.

We are the only Bible that some people will read. Peopleare observing our lives more than they are listening to our words. Jesus came to show us the Father, and left us with the message to go, tell, and show them Jesus by doing good and showing love to others. How will others know what Jesus is like if we are not walking out our lives loving people, demonstrating our faith?

In the Bible, James refers to the “royal law.” I love that term. It is the law of our King: to “love your neighbor as yourself.” James gives a description of what a working, walking-out faith looks like. God’s law points out sin in us and gives us the opportunity to ask for God’s forgiveness, freeing us from the bondage of sinning to please our flesh, giving us peace in obeying God’s law of love. If we truly love; everything else falls into place.

“Help us, Lord, to bridle our tongue so that we can be a good witness to our faith and bring glory to Your name. It is our responsibility to care for the orphans, widows and poor, being partial to no one. You look on the heart, not financial or social status, apparel or appearance. We are to model Your example. Seeing someone in need, and having the means to supply that need, we are to give to them out of what we have, showing Your compassion by example. Our faith should be alive and active, living out the demonstration of doing Your Words. Thank You, Lord, that we do not need to do this in our own power but by Your Holy Spirit dwelling in us to comfort, help, serve, and love through us, doing Your Word.”