To only hear the Word and not obey the Word is to live in self-deception about your soul's welfare and conduct of life. Obedience to the command to repent, and to receive Jesus in complete reliance on Him as your Saviour made you a participator of this so great salvation (Acts 3:19; 26:20 ). The hearing that becomes doing in active obedience results in the experience of all spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3,13; 1 John 3:22-24 ). It is in doing the Word that fulfilment of calling is actually realised (Acts 26:19 ).

By obedience we remain in the love of Jesus (John 15:10 ). Character and conduct that remain unshaken by the storms of life, come from putting into practice the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 7:24 ). James gives an illustration from everyday life - showing that the one who hears but does not act is like one who sees what he is like in a mirror but does nothing about this condition, even forgetting what he has seen as he goes about doing his own thing throughout the day (James 1:23-24 ). How regrettable, having taken trouble to look into the Word, to take no action on what the Word has revealed. A doer of the Word gives full attention to what he sees and takes the action that blesses him in what he does.

James 1:25 "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."

The blessed man takes particular care in understanding and applying the Word. His "looking into" wins the approval of God (2 Timothy 2:15 ). To the blessed man the commands of Christ become his lifestyle. His is not an occasional motivation to obey. He continues to do this, he does not have lapses of forgetting to tread the walk of Christ's teaching, because he has intently absorbed the Master's words into practical movement of the everyday actions of his life of faith.

James further shows that the blessed doer of the Word joys in the "perfect law" that gives freedom. This is the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6 ). In this new covenant of freedom the power of Christ is given to live and fulfill the law of Christ. Paul asserted that he was under Christ's law (1 Corinthians 9:21 ). No doubt including submission to Christ's teachings. The doer of Christ's word has also the supporting ministry of Christ through the spiritually strong members of His body (Galatians 6:1-2; Romans 15:1-3; Galatians 5:13 ). Living this freedom in daily practice brings the blessing of God in abundant life - not only knowing about it.

James 1:26 "If any man among you seem to be religious, ..."

James is using the word "religious" in the sense of systematic practice or activities, which would include worship, prayer, fasting, giving, serving, all commendable acts that point to you being a practicing Christian, but the James punch line is that the person who does not bridle his or her tongue (James 1:26 ) is deceiving one's own heart, and making one's profession worthless.

The unrestrained tongue spills out evil and lies (Psalm 34:13 ) and a rashness which brings ruin (Proverbs 13:3 ), and deceitful speech (1 Peter 3:10 ). All of which turns otherwise good practice into worthless exercises. The restrained tongue not only authenticates the good practices, it contributes to a gratifying good life, that is aware of being under the eyes of God, and enjoying the blessing of God, and answered prayer (1 Peter 3:10-12 ). Life in the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit which is self-control (Galatians 5:23 ), restraining the tongue and revealing the character and conduct of Jesus in practicing His Word. James emphasises two practices that God our Father considers pure and faultless:

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God's Word Requires Practical Practices

James 1:27 "... To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, ..."

God put priority on the kind of caring that benefits the needy. The word "fatherless" is used forty times in Scripture, and "widow" fifty times, and "widows" twenty two times. To practice concern and care for the fatherless and widows is to be in touch with the heart of the heavenly Father. He is both Helper and Father to the fatherless (Psalm 10:14,18; 68:5 ). He is the defender and sustainer of the fatherless and widow (Psalm 82:3; 146:9; Isaiah 1:17,23 ). He has compassion for them (Hosea 14:3 ). And has entrusted the looking after them to His people (James 1:27 ).

The New Testament defines those who are really in need (1 Timothy 5:4-10 ), and deserving of support by the body of Christ. How very sad if ritual performances, programmes, buildings, are more important to us than what is on the heart of God! (Hosea 6:6; Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:7-9 ).

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God's Word Requires Pleasing Purity

James 1:27 "... and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

The word "world" is used in Scripture to mean the universe, the earth, the people on the earth, most people, people opposed to God, or the human system opposed to God's purposes. Here, James is saying that we need to be pure from the pollution that comes from accommodating ourselves to worldly models, patterns, or the thinking that is fashioned by worldly thought opposed to God. Care is to be taken so as not to allow ourselves to be shaped by a world order without God.

To protect ourselves from the pollution of conformity to the world we must see to it that the word of Christ dwells richly in us, so that we are transformed and renewed in our minds (Colossians 3:16; Romans 12:2 ). We are warned by John not to love the things that make up the world system of evil and rebellion against God (1 John 2:15-16 ). The things of the world system are to be abhorrent to us:

	"The lust of the flesh" (1 John 2:16 KJV), resultant in the acts of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:19- 21 ).
	"The lust of the eyes" (1 John 2:16 KJV), a lifestyle that is driven by "all kinds of greed" (Luke 12:15 NIV).
	"The pride of life" (1 John 2:16 KJV), boasting in self-attainment, position, power, wealth, image, and self-gratification (1 John 2:16; 1 Timothy 3:6; 3 John 9; Leviticus 26:19; Ezekiel 28:5; Romans 1:18-28 ).

Our expectation motivates our keeping free from pollution. His promise of a new heavens, a new earth, a new home of righteousness, is sure (2 Peter 3:13 ).

2 Peter 3:14 "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;"

A consistent Christian life is summarised by James to consist of practical love for others, and pure devotion toward God.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would you say that to only hear the Word and not obey it, is to live in self-deception? (James 1:22 ).
2. How would you define religion in its personal application and practical benefit towards others? (James 1:26-27 ).