The book of James is so practical. It is the kind of book that stares you in the face and challenges you to get up and do something. Yes, our salvation is by grace apart from our works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but James reminds us that a genuine faith is a faith that works (James 2:14-26).
Today, we are exhorted to be doers of the Word (James 1:22-25). Intellectually collecting biblical information apart from practical application is proof that I’ve not really understood what God is saying to me. Yes, there is the need to study God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15) and meditate upon it day and night (Psalms 1:1-3), but if it isn’t converted into action, then my faith is questionable.
Jesus gave the teaching about people who build their lives on the sand or on solid rock. The difference is this: The one who built on the sand heard God’s Word but never applied it, while the other who built upon the rock heard God’s Word and put it into practice in his life (Matthew 7:24- 27). Which one are you today, my friend?
Does our church fellowship reflect a body that is building a house upon the sand of head knowledge, or upon the rock of heart application? As we look at our next section of Scripture this morning, may we ask The Holy Spirit once again to minister to each and every one of us the truth that is before us today. May we purpose with all of our hearts to put into practice God’s precious truth in our lives, and in doing so, bring glory and honor to our blessed Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).
