In the first chapter of James, we find these words (emphasis added):
James 1:19-27: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
That phrase “be doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (verse 22) serves as the thesis statement of the entire book of James.
But take note: James warns us that how we interact with that “implanted word” is very important! We are warned to be a “doer” of the word, because people who only “hear” the word (mental knowledge of Christianity and acknowledgment of Christianity as true WITHOUT corresponding life change) are deceiving themselves.
What do we make of this passage? Is James preaching a “works-based” Gospel, as has often been suggested in ancient and modern scholarship?
I don’t think so. I think James is just reiterating a common theme of the New Testament: A soul that has truly been justified by faith in Christ is going to live a life that is marked by a continuing transformation by the Gospel.
We are saved by Jesus. And He takes His people from spiritual death to everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven, ruled by King Jesus.
Hallelujah, amen. Now, what do we do from here? How do we live in this Kingdom into which we’ve been made citizens?
These articles are my own attempts to better understand Life in the Kingdom. I hope they are helpful to you; let’s together keep pressing in.
You can read more articles on Life in the Kingdom here!
TR Hartley 