Faith and Obedience

Richard Thetford

We read in James 1:21-22, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Thus, we must humbly receive the implanted word. The word must from the printed page be implanted into our hearts. The word must grow in good and honest hearts and bring forth fruit to eternal life. It does so when men and women hear the word and do what it says. Character building comes from doing, not just hearing. We are not changed by hearing good Bible messages only, but by hearing and applying those messages to our lives so that day-to-day improvements are made.

Hebrews 4:2 says, "For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it." Galatians 5:6 says, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." Hebrew 5:9 says, "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him..."

How about you? Are you humbly receiving the word which is able to save your soul? How faithfully are you practicing that which is taught in the word? Are you both hearing and doing? James 1:25 says, "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."