Doers of the Word

‘Words from the Pastor’

Very often I ask myself if I am really putting my best effort forward in my walk with Christ. Let’s take a look at a passage in the Book of James that speaks to my heart every time I read it. 

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves, do what it says (NIV).” King James Version puts it this way, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves.” Pretty plain and simple isn’t it? If we do not put into practice what God tells us then we are deceiving ourselves. It’s interesting that it says that we deceive ourselves. No one else is deceived, just us! 

A few weeks ago Naomi and I had the privilege of going to dinner with 6 of our children, their spouses and 10 of our grandchildren! All of the grandchildren had their own table and boy did they have a great time, as you can imagine! On our way home after dinner I mentioned to Naomi how well behaved our grandchildren were. Then I started remembering some of the shenanigans those little people were pulling! But it didn’t matter to grandma and me because we had on our “Rose Colored Glasses.” They’re our grandchildren! How could they ever do anything wrong? But grandma and I weren’t the ones that had to clean up the mess after we left. The wait staff may not have had the same impression that grandma and I had! 

Do you think we do that as Christians in our own lives? I know I do. There are things that I need to change and work on to become a better follower of Christ, but I don’t. I know I need to share my faith more with those that don’t know Him, but I don’t. I know I need to try and live more of the Big 9 (Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23) and show Christ in my life, but anger still creeps in not love. I lack joy so often. Peace should be the sign of a Christian but I loose mine so easily. Lack of patience still takes over. Not to mention how poor of an example I am when it comes to kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And then Paul pours salt in the wound in the 24th verse and says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Well Paul, I’m working on it. Praise the Lord that my salvation is through the Blood of Jesus and has nothing to do with my works! Faith in Jesus is all it takes. But I do strive, hope and pray that I will do better.

 Think about it. Naomi and I love y’all.