James 1:22 – 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Many today are not even hearers of the Word. Most don’t go to church. Most don’t listen to Christian television or radio. The dangers of this are making God whatever suits your fancy.
Is there a problem with this?
It’s a hard argument to make in front of God that you’re loving Him with all your heart, soul, and strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 – 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Jesus throws in your mind in His words.
Matthew 12:30 – 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Hearers of the Word is the first part that many Christians aren’t even taking the time to do. So if we’re not hearing, were certainly not doing.
Here is something to reflect on:
If you’re doing what’s right in the Word of God, you’re being a doer. If you’re purposely avoiding or not doing what is wrong, you’re still a doer. Both take effort and action. Taking a stand for the Word of God is being a doer.
What if Abraham just listened to God, when he was told I am giving you this land and he didn’t act on it? What would have happened if he didn’t listen to God, when he told him to take Isaac up to have him sacrificed? He wouldn’t have been the father of the Jewish people and his descendant’s wouldn’t be inheriting the promise of the Holy Land.
What if Noah had heard God’s voice and didn’t build the ark? Well he and his family would have perished like all the rest and if he was truly the only righteous one left, who knows what would have happened concerning the future of man.
What if Moses hadn’t listened? No first five books of the Bible. Jews don’t leave Egypt.
These men were doers, not just listeners. The one’s I mentioned are popular biblical figures, but there have been many doers that have preserved the Word of God, by carefully copying it from scroll to scroll. Others stepped out on faith such as Martin Luther and William Tyndale so we may all have the Word of God. Paul spread the Word in the beginning as our most notable missionary. Could you imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t have been a doer after his engagement with the Lord?
Now understand that God knew the actions of these men before they even did the things they did. It’s the same reason God can have men write down prophecy and even though they do, it still happens. God is not restricted to seeing things the way we do. Never-the-less these men were human and had to step out on faith and were doers.
Do things for the Lord. Be doers of good and be doers by not doing things that are against God. It pleases Him and is there anyone else you would want to please more?