A Doer Of the Word

The wicked witch loved her mirror — until it told her something she didn't want to hear. That's exactly what the Word of God does. The question is whether we walk away and forget what we saw, or let it change us.

In this closing message on James chapter 1 from our series "A Faith That Works," Pastor Ron covers James 1:19-27 and brings the chapter to its practical conclusion: be doers of the word, not hearers only.

Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak:

James opens this section with a command that cuts against our nature — be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Before a word of obedience can be acted on, it must first be received with a ready and humble heart.

The Mirror of God's Word:

James uses the image of a man who looks at his face in a mirror and then walks away and immediately forgets what he looked like. That's the person who hears the Word but doesn't act on it. But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it — that person will be blessed in what he does. The Word is the mirror; the question is whether we stay long enough to let it do its work.

True Religion That God Accepts:

James closes the chapter with a practical definition of genuine faith in action: bridle your tongue, care for the orphan and widow, and keep yourself unstained from the world. This is the kind of faith that works — not just heard on Sunday, but lived out the rest of the week.