Daily Devotional: Are You A Hearer Or A Doer?

For today’s daily devotional, I would like to look at James 1:22, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

“…prove yourselves doers of the word…” James starts to mention works here. In later chapters, he will develop this idea more fully. James tells us to “prove ourselves” because anyone can say they are anything they would like. Just because someone says something about themselves does not mean it is true. The true manner of a person is proven through our actions. Our actions prove what is in our heart. Jesus told us, “"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matt. 7:21

If we are focusing on God and making him the center of our life then our actions will reflect that. James is telling us it is not enough to simply say, “God I accept you into my life”. There has to be a change of the heart. This change of our hearts has to be enough to lead us to change our behavior.

Over the centuries, many bible scholars want to make works a salvation issue. At one point, Martin Luther even called the Book of James an “epistle of straw”. The bible looks at works as a doctor looks at a marathon runner. Being able to run a marathon is the outcome of a lot of hard work. The runner has trained very hard to be able to run a marathon. Works is the outcome of much study and time spent to focus one’s life on God. Works is the outcome of a person who has worked hard to build a biblical faith.

God expects us to produce. We see this example in Jesus’s encounter with the fig tree. Mat 21:18-19, “Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19  Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He *said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered.”

This fig tree had done nothing. It had only existed. Yet, this fig tree had one purpose to produce figs. I ask you, as Christians, “What is our purpose?” Is it to simply show up every Sunday? Jesus’s example shows us that it is much more. If our hearts become Christian then so will our actions. As our actions follow God’s will then people will notice. When people notice then we will bear fruit.

“…and not merely hearers…” Word of God is available to all men. Everyone has the chance to hear the word of God. Jesus reminded us in the parable of the sowers that a man’s heart determines how he reacts to the word of God. If our hearts are fertile soil then the word of God takes root and grows. Out of this growth comes action on our part. Salvation is gained through this action. For example, as the word of God grows then we ask the question necessary to bring us to baptism.

Christian life is much more then simply praying for Jesus to come into your heart. It is something that should cause a change in us. Christians share in Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. As such, we should put away the person we were before. We should arise in newness of life. We should strive to live our life according to God’s ways. We should focus daily on him. If we do these things then we will become doers of the word. Not because we have to but because it now flows through every part of our body.

Daily Devotional: Do You Find Joy In Trials?

What comes to mind when you think of trials? Most people think of something that is painful. We think of trials as something that will cause discomfort. It is true that trials are not always fun. However, speaking spiritual, trials may not be a bad thing. Trials may even be a source of joy. 

I realize this might sound crazy. How can we find joy in trials? But, that is exactly what God tells us to do. Through the apostle James, God tells us, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.“ (Jas 1:2) Why would God tell us to find joy in trials? Answering this question requires us to consider the source of trials.   

In modern times, we confuse trials with temptations. For most people, they would tell you that these are the same exact things. However, when you look at their definitions then you see a much different picture.  

Tempation is defined as, “A desire to do something, esp. something wrong or unwise”. It is also defined as, “A thing or course of action that attracts or tempts someone”.  

Trial is defined as, “Test (something, esp. a new product) to assess its suitability or performance”. 

These definitions tell us that temptations are meant to make a person do something wrong. Trials are meant to purify something. Bible tells us that Christians are no different.  

Tempation is a tool used by the devil. Jas 1:13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” Temptation does not come from God. It begins inside of us. Jas 1:14, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” Once we allow lust in then we give the devil the ammunition that he needs. 

Trials are used by God for own good. Jas 1:3, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” God provides us with trials not to make us fail. He does not want anyone to fail. He does want us to develop a useful faith. Not just a faith where we believe in him. But, a faith that produces works in our life. God can use these works to spread his gospel.  

Trials are part of building our faith. We must do more then just believe in God. Jas 2:19, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” Simply believing is not enough. We must cultivate an active faith. 

We do not want to end up like the fig tree. Matthew 21:18, “Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19  Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He *said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered.” We do not want Jesus to find us without any fruit. 

Many modern denominations want to downplay works. They are afraid of crossing the line between faith and works. A future devotional will talk more about this relationship. In trying to stay away from this topic, they do not address trials and temptations. It is crucial that we realize not all faith is the same. 

Growing a Godly faith requires more then just praying for Jesus to come into our lives. It requires that we walk with God daily. It is also important that we realize trials are not a bad thing. God uses trials to purify our faith. Unless we recognize this, we will confuse trials and temptations. We will see everything as being meant to cause us harm. This attitude can cause us to miss the lesson that God is trying to teach us. Unless we learn these lessons, our faith will stay stagnant. You can learn more about church of Christ beliefs on salvation here.