Our Actions Matter
November 1
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so
deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do
what it says is like a man who looks at his face in
a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like. But
the man who looks intently into the perfect law
that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not
forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—
he will be blessed in what he does.
My husband had fallen asleep with the TV on,
while I was clicking away on the computer. An
episode of House about a very arrogant doctor
came on. My interest was spiked as I heard the
husband of a patient say he had witnessed a miracle
from God when his wife's heart started beating again.
Some time passed, probably a commercial too, and I
heard this doctor saying very derogatory comments
about God. Then he brashly said to the husband, "You
better not be praying." I clicked that tube right off!
I was so offended.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, writes this book we
are studying because he believes our actions matter.
He is speaking very directly to the Jewish Christians
about their worldly habits. It is possible to believe
the right thing and live the wrong way. What is the
message we send to others concerning who Christ is
in our lives?
Let's pray: Father, You created us for Your good
purposes and long ago planned work for each of us to
do that would bring honor and glory to You and
blessings to us. May we not forget that as we
head into today. In Jesus Name, Amen
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to the word, and so
deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do
what it says is like a man who looks at his face in
a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like. But
the man who looks intently into the perfect law
that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not
forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—
he will be blessed in what he does.
My husband had fallen asleep with the TV on,
while I was clicking away on the computer. An
episode of House about a very arrogant doctor
came on. My interest was spiked as I heard the
husband of a patient say he had witnessed a miracle
from God when his wife's heart started beating again.
Some time passed, probably a commercial too, and I
heard this doctor saying very derogatory comments
about God. Then he brashly said to the husband, "You
better not be praying." I clicked that tube right off!
I was so offended.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, writes this book we
are studying because he believes our actions matter.
He is speaking very directly to the Jewish Christians
about their worldly habits. It is possible to believe
the right thing and live the wrong way. What is the
message we send to others concerning who Christ is
in our lives?
Let's pray: Father, You created us for Your good
purposes and long ago planned work for each of us to
do that would bring honor and glory to You and
blessings to us. May we not forget that as we
head into today. In Jesus Name, Amen
