I Am A Doer
I am A Doer
By Pastor Kent Munsey
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 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.”
James 1:22-25 (NIV)
Last week we began our NEW “Faith Confessions from the book of James” series with the declaration, I Am Patient. This week, our faith confession is: I Am A Doer.
In James 1:22-25, James expresses how important identity is. James was a half-brother of Jesus and was not counted as one of the disciples of Jesus. Although he was a late believer, he went all in when he decided to put his faith in Jesus. He pastored the first church in Jerusalem and was martyred for the gospel.
James grew up hearing the Word of God in his family, but he did not believe it until later in life. When he believed in Jesus, the Word made flesh, it changed how he saw himself.
James compares the Word of God to a mirror. A mirror is a polished surface that reflected light to produce an image. When we look at the word of God, it change how we see ourselves. If we want to be doers of the word, we need to meditate on the word of God and allow it to change us from the inside out. How do we become doers?
1. Look at the Word.
It’s possible to hear the word of God, but never really look at it. We need to study the word, meditate on it, and memorize it. David says that when he meditated on God’s word, he came to love it (Psalm 119). The light of God’s word supernaturally illuminates the way we see our lives.
2. If you are going to do what God says, you have to see God for who he is.
When we look at and study God’s Word, there is a supernatural light that reflects the image of God through the Holy Spirit. We need to get a clear picture of not just what God says but who God is. Often times, we don’t do what he says because we don’t trust who he is. When we put our trust in God, we are freed and empowered to obey his word.
3. When we look at God’s Word, it shows us who we are.
The light of God reflects through his word and gives us a clear picture of who we are (2 Corinthians 3:18). Sometimes we don’t do what he asks us to do because we don’t have the right perspective of who we are. We are made in the very image of God, created for such a time as this, and purposed to do good works! Study the Word of God to see what God says about who you are.
When you read God’s word, it reflects the great plans and purposes that he has for each and every one for us. We are able to see what God sees, and we get a clearer picture of who he is. When we can see clearly who he is and who he created us to be, it helps us to do what he says. Let’s be Doers of the Word.
Discussion/Reflection Questions:
How easy or challenging do you find it to be a doer of God’s Word?
How do you see the character of God, and what light are you viewing him through?
How does the Word of God shape your vision of God?
How do you see yourself in a natural mirror, and how does the Word of God transform your self-image?
What can you do this week to grow your understanding of the Word of God and become a doer of the word in a new area of your life?