> In the Christian life, the importance of not only hearing the Word of God but also doing it cannot be overstated. This concept is central to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, reflecting the essence of a genuine and active faith. As James writes, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22, ESV). This verse encapsulates a profound truth: hearing God’s Word is necessary, but it is incomplete without corresponding action.
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The Danger of Self-Deception
James warns against the danger of self-deception when believers merely listen to the Word without putting it into practice. The Word of God is meant to transform lives, not just fill minds with knowledge. When we only hear but fail to act, we risk becoming like the person James describes, “like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like” (James 1:23-24).
This vivid imagery illustrates the futility of hearing without doing. The mirror represents the Word, which reveals our true spiritual state. But if we do not respond to this revelation with obedience, we quickly forget the change that needs to take place. John Calvin, the influential Protestant Reformer, comments on this passage, stating, “The knowledge of God’s Word is but an empty pretense where there is no inclination to obey it.” Calvin emphasizes that genuine faith produces a willing and active obedience, not just intellectual assent.
“The knowledge of God’s Word is but an empty pretense where there is no inclination to obey it.”
John Calvin
The Teachings of Jesus on Obedience
Jesus Himself underscored the importance of being doers of the Word in His teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He concludes with a parable that contrasts two builders: one wise and one foolish. The wise builder, who hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice, builds his house on the rock, and it withstands the storms. The foolish builder, who hears but does not act, builds on sand, and his house collapses when the storms come (Matthew 7:24-27).
This parable is a clear call to obedience. Hearing Jesus’ words is not enough; they must be put into action. As theologian R.C. Sproul notes, “A faith that does not result in works is not genuine faith at all, but a mere intellectual agreement.” Sproul’s observation aligns with Jesus’ teaching that true discipleship is marked by obedience to His commands.
“A faith that does not result in works is not genuine faith at all, but a mere intellectual agreement.”
R.C. Sproul
The Fruit of Active Faith
The Bible consistently links obedience to God’s Word with the evidence of genuine faith. The Apostle John writes, “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). Obedience is not optional for the believer; it is the natural outflow of a life transformed by the gospel.
Obedience is not optional for the believer; it is the natural outflow of a life transformed by the gospel.
The Apostle Paul also emphasizes this connection between faith and obedience. In Romans, he speaks of “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5), highlighting that true faith is inherently obedient. Paul Washer, a contemporary preacher, echoes this sentiment: “The evidence of justification by faith is a changed life—a life of holiness, obedience, and good works.”
The Blessing of Obedience
Obedience to the Word of God is not merely a duty; it is a path to blessing. James affirms this when he says, “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” (James 1:25).
Obedience brings freedom and joy because it aligns our lives with God’s will. As we walk in obedience, we experience the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10). Matthew Henry, a well-known Bible commentator, reminds us, “True religion is not merely profession or speculation, but practical holiness.” The blessing of obedience is not just in the outcomes it produces, but in the deepening of our relationship with God and the transformation of our character into Christlikeness.
“True religion is not merely profession or speculation, but practical holiness.”
Matthew Henry
Conclusion
In a world that often prioritizes knowledge over action, the call to be doers of the Word is a crucial reminder of the true nature of Christian faith. It is a faith that hears and responds, that believes and obeys. As we seek to live out this calling, may we remember the words of Jesus: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). True blessing comes not from hearing alone, but from a life of active obedience to the Word of God.
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