What Does it Mean to be Doers of the Word?
[James 1:22] But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.
How are you defining “the word’.
If you are translating ‘the word’ as ‘the law’, boy have you really missed it.
Keep in mind that we rewind just one verse he tells us something very interesting.
He says ‘the word implanted, which is able to save your souls’
So, the word can ‘save our soul’. We know that through the law no one will be found righteous – Romans 3:20, Gal 3:11.
So what is this word that can save our soul? Do we get saved by increasing our outward performance (works)? Do we get saved by avoiding sin? Of course not.
We get saved by making a decision for Jesus. Hearing and believing.
The only way you can be a ‘doer of the word’ is that you hear the word and you believe it to be true. This ‘doing’, if you will, is not an outward doing, it’s an inward doing.
Now James is going to go on to mention the word law in verse 25. But it’s not the mosaic law.
He calls it the perfect law, and then describes it as the “law of freedom”. Jesus said my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
That’s because the law of freedom means to be free in Christ and the only way to be free in Christ is to acknowledge that the only way to inherit the kingdom is to faith in Jesus. It is not of ourselves. It is indeed a gift less any of us boast.
Now I know something about faith alone saving us really offends the religious ego and some people get really nasty. Trusting in Jesus alone for our salvation does not in any way suggest that someone is anti-works or pro sin.
You can be all at the same time and not contradict yourself.
Author: Mike Cynar
Mike Cynar was raised in a church setting where he frequently noticed that many attendees would eventually drift away. The church labeled these individuals as ‘back sliders’ or ‘fake Christians’ just looking for ‘fire insurance’. However, Mike realized the issue was rarely with these individuals but instead with the church’s message itself. The teachings heavily emphasized behavior improvement and one’s flaws, with only a fleeting mention of one’s identity in Christ. It felt as though every sermon was tailored to the church of Corinth, who as we know or committing sins that even unbelievers don’t partake in. This trend was noticeable not just in one denomination, but across Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, and many other churches. Upon understanding the true essence of the gospel – that our righteousness comes from Jesus’ actions, not our own – Mike was inspired to liberate believers from lifeless sermons and reconnect them with the genuine teachings of Jesus. He believes that one can nurture a vibrant and growing bond with Jesus, unhindered by rigid religious practices. And thus, “Jesus Without Religion” was born.
It turns out that it is grace that leads to repentance. And if our heart is to get others to walk in the Spirit and live a godly life, then the best approach is not a beat down sermon, but rather to remind other that it is only when we understand our true identity in Christ that we will live it out. Yes, it’s true, if you’re convinced that God thinks you’re a dirty sinner, you will ultimately continue a lifestyle that mirrors that view, but if you truly believe that even on your worst day, you are called holy, sanctified, justified, and will be presented blameless in the end, well, it turns out this is the secret to living out on the outside what has been worked in to the inside.
