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GOD’S WORD DAILY

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 84                                                             OCTOBER 25, 2001

     

WORD OF THE DAY:
     BE NOT FORGETFUL HEARERS      

Scripture references: James 1:22-25

     It is an easy thing to go to church or Sunday school to come hear the
     Word of the Lord. It is quite another thing to take the Word to heart and
     live by it. Today, we will see how we can be supremely blessed by doing
     the work in keeping the commandments of God, persevering until
     the Lord's return.

 

     James 1:22

          "But be ye doers [performers] of the word,
          and not hearers [listeners] only, deceiving
          [deluding]your own selves."

 

     Going through the motions without heart or attending church because someone else is
     making you, doesn't cut it with God. He desires a personal relationship with each one of
     us, not a superficial one. He wants us not only to hear His Word, but to obey it also. It is
     delusional to think that because we are hearing the Word or studying it daily, that that
     is the end of our responsibility before God, that it is enough. He wants us to do His will
     also. It is for our own good, He wants us to live victoriously through Christ!

 

     Matthew 7:21

          Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
          shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he
          that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.

 

     James 1: 23

          For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a
          doer, he is like unto a man beholding [observing
          fully] his natural face in a glass [mirror]:

          For he beholds himself, and goes his way, [departs]
          and straightway forgets [neglects, loses out
          of mind] what manner of [what kind of, how
          excellent] man he was.

 

     When I first learned that it was "Christ in me, the hope of glory," [Colossians 1:27]
     I was so jazzed, enthusiastic and full of life! I began to put that knowledge on in my
     mind and act like the son of God that God made me. As time went on and I neglected to
     put on the mind of Christ, neglected my study of the Scriptures, neglected my fellowship
     with God and with fellow believers, I forgot who I was in Christ. I still said that I
     was a Christian, but I was living like a heathen. I cussed, I drank, I behaved badly. I hung
     out with perverse people and no longer reflected, by my choices, the Christ in me. I had
     one foot in darkness, and the other foot in the light. I was Christian on the inside, but
     looked like an unbeliever on the outside. In short, I forgot who I was in Christ.
     Erroneously thinking that it was ok to live in sin because of God's grace, I deceived myself.

 

          But whoso looks [leans over so as to peer within]
          into the perfect law of liberty, [freedom] and continues
          [ to stay near, remain,be permanent, persevere
          --abide, continue] therein, he being not a
          forgetful [negligent] hearer, but a doer of the work, this man
          shall be blessed [supremely blessed, well off] in his deed.

 

     Jesus said to those who believed him, if you continue in my Word, then you are my
     disciples indeed. Also, he said, the truth shall make you free. If the Son shall
     make you free, you shall be free indeed. [John 8:31-33, 36]

     Let us look into this complete gospel of freedom and continue in it. By doing so, we will be
     blessed supremely! We shall be free indeed! We will be free from the bondage of sin, free
     to live a joyous life, free to live in love, free to serve, free to be! Now that's the
     life for me!

     Since I have continued in the Word more, I have an abundance of peace. I still have
     tribulations, mental pressures and endure painful afflictions at times. But I know
     God hears and will answer. I trust He will make a way to bear and escape the
     temptations that I face. I understand how to be patient and wait on God's timing. I
     have joy! Jesus Christ and the living Word have set me free! I am very blessed. I have
     much to give thanks about.

     Of course, there are areas in which I would like to continue to grow. There are areas in my
     life which need significant improvement! I know God hears and will deliver me. The truth
     shall set me free!

     May we continue in the perfect law of liberty, blessed in the doing of it and be not forgetful
     hearers only. Amen.

     -Carol Kenreigh

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