Daily Bible Reading – 10.26.2021
James 1:23-25, Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
James gives us an illustration of one who listens to Scripture but does not apply it to their lives. It is like the person who looks in a mirror and quickly forgets what they look like. I sometimes wonder who is in the mirror when I am looking and would like to forget!
Some days, I read my daily devotions and Scripture passages, but then, I, hurriedly, get on with my day without considering how the message of my readings can be translated into my life. When I, mistakenly, think that going through the motion of my devotion without any application is all I need, then I have become deceived.
We must engage our whole mind and heart in the Word. We must not hurry in or hurry out. A prayerful attitude of asking the Holy Spirit to speak into our hearts and empower us to live out the Word is needed to faithfully engage God in His Word. The Apostle Paul wrote to the young pastor, Timothy, about the power of Scripture,
2 Timothy 3:14-17, But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Scripture gives us the path for salvation through faith in Jesus. Scripture teaches us the way, truth, and life. Accompanied with the Holy Spirit, Scripture rebukes and corrects us when we have sinned or gone astray. It is our training manual for living in a right relationship with God. It equips us to live out the good works that we have been created to do as believers in Jesus.
James says the blessing then comes when we actually do what Scripture teaches.
Questions to Consider:
What specific instances can you share where you found Scripture useful to teach, rebuke, correct, or train you? What is the blessing you have found in doing the Word of God?
Weekly Memory Verse:
James 1:22, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.