“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… ‘But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.’
James 1:22–25
Obedience unlocks wonders in the life of a believer.
When we say we are believers, what we are saying in effect is that we are people who do not only believe in Jesus, but people who do what Jesus says. The profession of our faith is incomplete without obedience, because faith will always demand obedience from us. Faith will demand obedience to God’s Word. Faith will demand obedience to God’s instruction.
When you go through the Word, you will see that everyone the Lord calls a person of faith had to live a life of obedience. And you will also notice that those who refused to obey eventually drifted away, because obedience is what gives expression to your faith as a believer.
It is impossible to separate obedience from faith. So it is safe to say that a believer is marked by obedience.
James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” And James 2:18 says, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
So just like we say, “Put your money where your mouth is,” as believers, we must put our obedience where our faith is.
Obedience to be doers of the Word, and doers of the work. Because there is a work the Word will require from you. And that work, you must do. If you do that work, then you are a doer of the Word, because it is the Word that birthed the work.
So make up your mind today that you are going to do the work of the Word.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your Word. Give me the grace to obey what You have spoken. Search my heart and show me every area where I have heard Your Word but refused to do the work required. Help me to put my obedience where my faith is. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Reading:
Ephesians 5:22–33 and Psalm 119:118–130
