Don't Just be Hearers of the Word - Be Doers

We are supposed to be doers - not just hearers - of the Word. This notion should really play havoc in our society today - a society that has grown up thinking of religion as entertainment, something meant for others, not us. Right?

If this is what you thought, you're wrong.  In fact you're part of the problem.

Let look at the Book of James: 

James 1:22

Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice.

 

What does this mean, and how are we supposed to do this?

In Luke's gospel, he explains it well: 

Luke 6:46-48 And why call you me, Lord, Lord; and do not the things which I say? . . .

Luke 11:28 But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.

Luke 12:47,48 And that servant, who knew the will of his lord and prepared not himself and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. . . .

And in Matthew's Gospel: 

Matthew 7:21-25 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. . . .

Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

In essence, we can learn two important things from these passages. First, society and the actions of people have not changed all that drastically over the past 2,000 years. People that lived during the time of Christ did some of the exact same things we are doing or have done ourselves. This point is pivotal, since it proves the fact that advice that was given then was just as important and timely as was almost 2,000 years ago. 

Second, if you fail to be doers of the Word, you will suffer some dire consequences. James and Jeremiah have some of the best verses to explain this:

James 4:17 To him therefore who knoweth to do good and doth it not, to him it is sin.

Jeremiah 11:6 And the Lord said to me: Proclaim aloud all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying: Hear ye the words of the covenant, and do them:

Where do we stand amongst the hearers and doers of the word?

Before COVID, church attendance was steadily declining. Then, in March of 2020, many US states and countries prohibited churches from even operating. Church attendance became essentially nonexistent. People “attended” Church by watching Mass on TV or YouTube. In these cases, are we doers, or are we listeners? Can we truly be a doer of the word if we cannot participate?

Being a doer of the word requires:

1. Church Attendance

2. Commandment Compliance

3. Missionary Work

4. Personal Church Ministry

5. Having a Christ Centered Life

6. Treating All People Well

7. Reading, Studying The Bible, Church Works

8. Living All Aspects Of Gospel Every Minute of Everyday

Let us begin to practice what Jesus preached - and continue it twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

In GK Chesterson's, What's Wrong With The World?, he writes:

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”