22 But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the word [f]without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets [g]what he looked like. 25 But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but [h]an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].
James 1:22-25 (AMP) 中文
Listening transition
Now that we’ve been instructed on how to be a good listener so that we avoid anger and ultimately be holy, James takes to a vital spiritual discipline. Every follower of Christ should be a student of the Bible. And not just a student, one who is diligent. And not just a diligent student but more so, apply what we learn. We should be careful listeners in discussions with others. We should be careful listeners and doers of God’s Word.
Man in the metaphor
What metaphor does James use here? A person who doesn’t know what they look like. They look in the mirror, even intently, but when they walk away, they forget what they look like – maybe even who they are. It’s good that they look in the mirror to know what they look like. In fact, that’s a critical first step. But it’s useless if they do nothing with what they saw (learned). James applies this to our relationship with the Lord…through His Word.
Active doer
The call is to obey, to be an active doer of what we so diligently study. But first we must “look intently” into the Word. How? Some suggestions:
- Pray that God would help us. Ask Him to make us like the person of Psalm 1 who delights in the Word of God. Think about what in your life gives you joy, fulfillment, satisfaction and seek to have the Bible unseat that thing and become your delight…along with delighting in Him (Psalm 37:4).
- Set a time. Just like in a relationship, if you want to enjoy time together, learn from one another, see the relationship grow, you need to spend time together. Make a “date with God”.
- Remember the Bible is God’s Word to you, to us. When we read it, we are hearing God speak! Some say it’s a love letter to us. It is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).
- Look for the truth that God is revealing to you in His Word, through His Spirit. Ask Him to give you understanding, to change your heart and thinking, to apply it.
- Consider sharing what you learn with someone else to bless them and grow in your understanding.
Then, Go and Do IT!
RЯeflection
- How are you doing at studying God’s Word? Is it your delight? You will be surprised when you open it and read it. Read it as a letter. Theology, to know God, is the highest of all pursuits with the greatest of rewards. When we know Him, we learn to trust Him and that helps with obedience.
- The things we learn, we need to be diligent to put into practice. Let’s not be like the man in the metaphor.
