Not Just a Hearer (Bulletin Article for November 11)

Many of our religious friends teach that there is nothing one can do in order to go to heaven. God has already chosen, they teach, those who will be saved and those who will be lost, and there is nothing we can do to change that.

The book of James teaches that there are things we must do. Some religious leaders, both past and present, have basically discounted the book of James. Why? Because it teaches that there is something I need to do to be saved. Martin Luther said that the Epistle of James was an “epistle of straw,” because the Greek language used in the book was not as deep or detailed as in other books.

If he had been honest about this fact, Luther would have to admit that the reason he didn’t believe James was because it went against what he taught. How tragic! While it is true that God saves, it is also true that God saves those who are obedient. We must do something.

Almost no one reading this article will dispute that. However, there is another teaching in James with which we agree but often fail to do.

In James 1:22, we are taught, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (RSV). How can I fail to follow that command?

By doing nothing!

When I hear a lesson from God’s Word, I need to study it (cf. Acts 17:11), but I also need to do it. Leah and I enjoy going to Gospel Meetings when we can. The messages are uplifting and helpful. I don’t have any idea how many lessons we have heard in the past few years. I’m sure God is pleased when we make the decision to attend a Gospel Meeting (or VBS, youth rally, church camp, etc.) to hear His Word proclaimed. But what if that’s all I do?

For illustration, let’s just say that the lesson is about getting along with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I can sit through that lesson, hear it, study it, nod my head and shake the preacher’s hand at the conclusion of the service. Then, the service is over and, as I walk out of the building, there is that brother. The one who just isn’t like me. The one who made me angry several years ago. What will my reaction be? If I just walk by and don’t make any effort to repair that relationship, have I pleased God?

What if the lesson is on giving? Evangelizing? Working hard? Disciplining my children? Church discipline? Or any other subject.

Let’s be doers, and not just hearers.