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Theme: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD OF GOD
Text: “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” – James 1:21-23.
Comment: Sin is an obstacle to receiving God’s word, but when one puts away evil and accepts the wholesomeness of the word, such an one will be able to resist evil by the grace of God. King David stated, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11) In the referenced text, Apostle James stressed an important aspect of the word of God: its ability to save the souls of those that received it – which is salvation in God’s kingdom fully established. To obtain this gift of salvation, there are expectations that one must meet. Apostle James highlighted two of those – humility and being doers of the word.
It takes humility to receive the word of God. Those who think of themselves as great and wise in the way of the world are less likely to receive the deep things of God’s word. (Matthew 11:25) It is the meek that He will teach His way. (Psalm 25:9) However, whether one has received the word or is yet to receive it, one’s life should always reflect humility, among other qualities, as to be blessed with salvation by God’s grace. (Matthew 5:3,5) In addition to meekness, we are enjoined to be doers of the word. Receiving the word without practicing it is self-deceit. In response to a woman who was impressed by the word of God, Jesus said, “…blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” – Luke 11:27-29.