James 1:22 says: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” How does one “prove” himself or herself? The answer is by being a “doer” of the word. The one who is merely a hearer does not put into practice what her/she hears. Hearing the word is important. The Apostle Paul said “So Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). You cannot develop faith unless you hear the word. Hearing the word is to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ which, Paul says, “is the power of God for salvation…” (Romans 1:16). That power is also illustrated by James as seen in James 1:21: “…in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” Hearing the word also calls for repentance. James says (1:21) one must put “…aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness….” Repentance is a change of heart and mind which is reflected in a change of life. We hear the gospel, faith is born, we repent, we confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, we are “…buried with Him through baptism unto death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, so we too might walk in newness of life”(Romans 6:4).
That walk in newness of life should reflect us proving ourselves by being doers of the word. To think you are ok because you hear the gospel proclaimed, James says, is to “delude” yourself (1:22). Let us be abundantly clear, I am not emphasizing being a doer of the word to earn salvation. Our salvation is not the result of works (Eph. 2:8,9). But let’s listen to Paul in the next verse, “…we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (2:10). God had this plan before the world was created. Let’s honor that plan. James also addresses faith and works in chapter 2 of his epistle. For our benefit I note the last verse of chapter 2, verse 26: “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
Blessings come when we put into practice what we believe (Jas. 1:25). Be a doer of the Word!
— Les Ferguson Sr., South Huntington Church of Christ
