James 1:25: The One Who Looks Into The Perfect Law, The Law Of Liberty

James 1:25
[25] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV)

We all love to be blessed. We will read books on how to increase God's blessing in our lives. We will say to each other, "Have a blessed day." James tells us one of the ways we can be blessed in what we do. The formula for this blessing is none other than spending time in the Word of God, which James describes as the "perfect law," and the "law of liberty."

James describes the one who looks into the perfect law. It is essential that we share James' attitude towards God's Word. The Bible is perfect. It is inerrant. It is without any flaw. It is to be the absolute authority in our lives. This concept of the Bible being described as "Law" is not referring to the dietary codes of the Old Testament, but rather a way of describing all of Scripture.

Not only is God's Law perfect, but it is a law of liberty. Now, this is a hard concept for us to grasp. We do not think of God's Law as being liberty, but rather restrictions. Certainly, the Old Testament told us of many things that we were not to do. If we properly understand that everything in God's Word is for our benefit we will see it as freeing. And because of what Christ has done in our hearts by defeating sin, we are now set free to follow his Law.

This blessing that comes from looking into God's perfect law of liberty is contingent upon one thing; our actions! The blessing is for the doer who acts, not the hearer who forgets. The old expression rings true here: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." If you truly want God's blessing in your life you will read his word and put it into action in your daily life.

Are you a hearer who forgets or a doer who acts? The way that you answer that question will determine whether or not you can expect to be blessed in what you do.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

Search This Blog