The Word of God

(#1059, Imperial, 1964)

Read James 1:18-27.

The Relation of God's Word to the Christian, v18-21.

ƒ      The new birth, v18.

w    His own will.  It is not God's will that men should perish (2 Pt. 3:9) so the Spirit works on us to bring us to see His will.

w    Begat He us.  This speaks of the new birth.  "You must be born again" (John 3:7).

w    Word of truth.  The medium through which God gives birth to His children is the Word (1 Peter 1:23; Heb. 4:12).

w    First fruits.  This typifies consecration to the Lord and is the result of the new birth.

ƒ      Swift to hear, v19-20.  New birth brings new responsibilities.

w    A quick ear.

w    A cautious tongue. Cf. Prov. 10:19.

w    A calm temper.  Man's wrath does not help God's cause.

ƒ      Receive with meekness, v21.

w    Lay aside filthiness, wickedness.  "Sin will keep us from this Book; this Book will keep us from sin."

w    Receive with meekness.  This means more than just hearing. It is hearing with submissiveness.  When we neglect the Word we suffer.

w    Save your soul.

The Responsibility toward God's Word, v22.

ƒ      Be ye doers of the Word.  Sins of omission are the most flagrant sins.  Scripture reveals those who knew but did not obey, men such as Cain, the Rich Young Ruler, etc.

ƒ      Deceiving ourselves.  When we fail to obey light becomes darkness (Mt. 6:22-23).

ƒ      Looking into the mirror of God's Word.  We see ourselves as God sees us.  Many do not like this mirror. Still others forget what they see.  But they are still responsible to obey.

ƒ      The blessed man.  He is the one who obeys.  And note the reference to the "law of liberty"; the Word liberates when obeyed.

 

Sin will keep us from this Book;

this Book will keep us from sin.