In this next segment, James is warning that you not only need to listen but also to obey the law.
James 1:22-25 And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don’t obey, it is like looking at your face in the mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into Gods perfect law-the law that sets you free-and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
It is important to listen to what God’s word says, but it is much more important to obey it and do what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. Do you put into action what you have studied? (-Life application Bible commentary)
The law helps us to see where we are falling short and gives us grace with His forgiveness. This kind of freedom is we are free to obey Gods law. We can’t go out and do whatever we would like.
The perfect (royal) law that is mentioned here is love your neighbor as yourself. (More on this read Jeremiah 3:31-34 and Hebrews 10)
This could be a study of its own! I will give some summaries and then at the end a bunch of scriptures to further your study on this topic. When we are saved we are given a new heart and spirit. If we fill us up with Gods word it’s only natural that we will do what it says.
I can tell when I’m not in the word or praying as much. I definitely sway towards the flesh. It’s so easy to do. We need to make sure we stay in it. For me, having someone to hold me accountable really helps. Find a friend that can help you in this area. I have several that brings me different things to my life. It took awhile of searching to get here. If you don’t have anyone pray that God will bring one to you.
When we ask God to come into our hearts we have a newness. The Holy Spirit comes and fills us up. To keep this we must ask God for forgiveness daily! For we ALL fall short. All sin is a sin. God does not take partiality. We must also not say well they sin more than I do for sin is sin. Not matter what it all equals to sin.
They say where your heart is that’s the most important thing. Yea that stings a bit. I have the battle of that changing to my kids. I constantly have to re-examine myself. This is easy to do. Check your thoughts, are you constantly worrying about something else or are you always thinking of Jesus and trusting him. Our thoughts align with our heart.
There’s also the ones that say things but then they act a total different way. We all know them and we all have been that person time to time. We must match up. We must not only be sayers but doers too. It’s in our works that you can see the faith. It’s in our works that people can see the freedom and want that too. Don’t have empty words.
True faith puts the law within so we can respect Him and it will show. True faith is justified by works. Want real true faith then walk the talk! This can become a habit of life. I do fall short, I’ll be honest, but I have grown and it’s become much easier for this to become a habit. You will begin to crave it.
James 1:26-27 if you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are just rolling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.
The orphans and widows here was in that time they had little to no support. The church was suppose to help them. This is still true today. Now this is for anything but when we give we need to have no thought of receiving anything from them. This is truly serving others.
Letting the world corrupt us is a battle e will face daily. We need to commit ourselves to Christ and have our support system. The world (flesh) is so caught up in money, power, and pleasure. This does not give you true faith as you put trust into the world and not God.
External demonstrates the internal. The tongue is such a small part to the body but it holds the most power. Are you a peacemaker or divider? When he says perfect he doesn’t mean you can’t ever fall, true Christianity is not someone who never stumbles. It all means you are trying to do better, work towards the day when you will be complete (mature).
So remember what James says here that we must be hearers and doers. Listen, speak, and act must all match up.
Little deeper: Jeremiah 33:39-40 fear God=respect God. Ezekiel 36:39-40 new heart and spirit. Philippians 2:12-13 carry out completion. Romans 5:1-2 justified by faith. Romans 6:1-4 newness of life. Romans 6:15 all sin is sin. Romans 7:4 under Christ we can obey law. Romans 8:1-4 not what you say but what you- James is saying. Romans 2:5-11 according to deeds, eternal life. Matthew 7:22-26 practice lawlessness 1Corinthians 6:9-11 & 2Corinthians 13:5 examine yourself. Galatians 5:19-21 habit of life. Ephesians 5:5-6 empty words. Psalms 15:1-5 and Galatians 5:19-21 check your tongue.
Warrior for Christ 