In some of the church statistics making their rounds from time to time this particular one catches my attention: 80 percent of the work of the church is accomplished by 20 percent of the people. In some cases it is 90/10. Just looking at the 80/20 model, the conclusion can be readily drawn: By far the majority of the congregation are hearers only. Stop and think about what would happen if the 20 percent became “hearers only.” Over a period of time such a church would soon cease to exist. And across the landscape of the United States there are many small churches facing that prospect. Such a thing points to the great need to hear and respond to what James writes by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I am especially speaking of James 1:19-27. I originally referred to three exhortations in this section. Today as we finish our study, I am changing that to four exhortations. Number one: The Word of God needs to be heard. Number two: The Word of God must be received. Number three: We who hear and receive the Word must become a doer of it. All of that we have dealt with in prior articles. In this one we come to number four: We must share the Word. Note the last two verses of James 1: If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (26, 27).
In these two verses I see three things emphasized: Speech, Service and Separation. In being a doer of the word one will have ample opportunity to use the tongue to say a good word for Jesus. In chapter 3 James also says: “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire….” (5, 6). Being a doer of the word, we will have many opportunities to say a good word for Jesus. To not control the tongue is to defeat what good we were trying to accomplish.
Sharing the Word should also be seen in our service to others. We are in the people business. And there is all kinds of people around the area where we live. Note that James says that serving others is to practice pure and undefiled religion. He especially identifies orphans and widows as people who need special attention. At this point I encourage you to read Matthew 125:31-46. That is the great judgment scene. Jesus presents Himself to the righteous as being hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison and they answered His needs. And their response was: when did we take care of those needs? Jesus’ answer: “…Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me” (Mt. 25:40). To be a doer of the Word is to be a servant serving in all kinds of situations. To serve others is to serve Jesus.
Finally, James closes this section of his epistle by urging his readers to “…keep oneself unstained by the world” (v.27).
To be a doer of the Word will put you in contact with people in the world. Those we seek to serve need to see us practicing what we teach/preach. Christians have been called out of the world and all its darkness and sent back to that dark world to be the light (Mt. 5:13-16). The Apostle John says, “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world” (I John 2:15).
Remember, James said if all we do is “hear the Word,” we deceive ourselves (1:22). May it not be true of you and me! But may it be true that we are an “…effectual doer” who “shall be blessed in what he does”(1:25).
— Les Ferguson Sr.,
South Huntington Church of Christ
