Have you ever sensed God speaking to you through the Bible, a sermon, or another believer, then agreed with what He was saying but changed nothing in your life? Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.”
And again Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me Lord, but do not do what I say?” Likewise, the Apostle James warned us, saying, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Many christians hear God’s word and agree with it without letting it change the way they live.
James compares that person to someone who looks into a mirror then walks away and forgets what he saw. But a mirror accomplishes nothing unless you respond to the truth it reveals. God’s Word is a mirror. It reveals the truth about God, about you, and about the way you are living.
Obedience does not earn God’s love. You obey because He already loves you and because you trust that His His way is better than your own.
Obedience is faith put into action. As you act on what God has shown you, He uses that obedience to change you and strengthen your faith. Faith grows when you take the next step of obedience Jesus has placed before you.
So this week do not ask only “What did I learn?” Also ask, “What will I do?” Choose one clear truth from God’s word and put it into practice. James says that the person who hears God’s word and puts it into practice will be blessed in what he does.
To learn more about discipleship at good hope, visit goodhopelive.com/discipleship. Jesus still says, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
