James 1: Do What It Says

Last updated on: November 2, 2011 at 12:45 pm by Dillon Burroughs

James 1: Do What It Says 2011-11-02T12:45:19-04:00 Dillon Burroughs

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” -James 1:22

The book of James is perhaps the most direct letter in the New Testament. Rather than word pictures or abundant illustrations, James gets down to business by verse 2. By verse 22, he bluntly informs readers, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

James is clear that listening to spiritual truth is important, but it’s merely the first step to honoring God. Obedience is the key factor, and often the missing factor, among those who claim to follow Jesus.

And James would know. He grew up as the half-brother of Jesus, yet didn’t even believe in him until after the resurrection. Yes, his older brother seemed to be the perfect child, but there was no way he could be the Messiah, could he? They shared the same bedroom as kids; that doesn’t sound like the Messiah James grew up hearing about at the local synagogue.

But once James had experienced the risen Jesus, it was a different story. A story of listening–and doing. There was no time to mess around with debates or trivia; Jesus is the Messiah and he’s coming back. We need to live like it.

Still today, his message rings strongly in a culture where religion often elevates the trivial above the essential and preference over holiness. What James said then is just as needed today. Don’t just listen to the word. Do it.

Only then will we live fully devoted to Christ.

+++

Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.

Handwritten copies of the Bible

Dillon Burroughs

holy writ

james 1

Previous Post

November 1, 2011

Hebrews 13: Remember Those in Prison

Next Post

November 3, 2011 James 2: Faith Acts

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category handwrite the entire bible handwritten bible Handwritten copies of the Bible transcribe the bible

Select a Month July 2018 April 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to 1 John, what three things testify on earth?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Faith, hope, and love The Spirit, the water, and the blood Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit