"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, decieving yourselves... But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perserveres, being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." -James 1:22,25
Being a Christian doesn't just mean hearing the Word, it means doing the Word. James understands this clearly. He is very firm on the fact that you cannot be just hearer, you must be a doer.
James even gives an example of this. It is found in James 1:23-24, "For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is 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 looks like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perservers, being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
James wants us to understand that hearing is not enough; doing is what makes the action complete. He is saying that just hearing something is easily forgotten. You must do something in order to remember what you heard.
But how are we to do? What are we to do? Paul in his letter to the Hebrews tells us how we are to do this. In Hebrews 10:24-25, he says, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Again, Paul says in Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will recieve the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
It is clear that we are to encourage each other and give each other guidance. We are also to work as though we are working for God and not men.
Are you a doer of the Word? Are you stirring up your fellow believers and working as for God?
