James 1:22-25 “Be Hearers & Doers of the Word” Part 2

Read James 1:22-25.

Pray

dismiss children if needed

(Context) James is the Author, he is writing this letter to the church at large, this book has many correlations to the book of proverbs and to Jesus’s sermon on the mount, and this books main theme is sanctification-the testing and refining of true Faith.

(previous message) Last week was part 1 of what we will be continuing on with today. We are examining what it means to be a hearers and doers of the word. Last week we recognized that the Word of Truth is the Gospel displayed in all of scripture and that if we have the Gospel, which is implanted Word of Truth inside of us, we should expect fruit to spring forth. The fruit we discussed last week was being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

(Illustration) For today, i want to begin by going back in time for many of us today. How many of us began this day by getting a hot shower to then notice that the window in our bathrooms are completely fogged over. We might open the door to get the steam from the bathroom out of the room so the mirror would unfog revealing our reflection. Or maybe we would wipe the mirror off so that we can get a glimpse before the fog blurred our image.

how many of us would just look in the mirror for a moment, see that it is fogged over, to then walk out the room never to look at the mirror again causing us to forget what we even look like? This would mean that our hair would be messy, for the ladies our make up would not be straight, and for some of us men our mustaches would not be curled correctly. The point of a mirror is to reveal ones appearance for us to make adjustments to ourselves.

What is contextually important for us in this text is that mirrors in the day of Jesus and James were not these clear mirror that you and I are use to. Mirror back then were made from polish metals that didn’t always produce a great image, so one would have to gaze intently in the mirror, maybe even tilt it, get better sunlight, or even re-polish it. Meaning, that in order to get a good image of yourself from the ancient mirror, meant it took time and dedication. So if someone in that day were quick to look in a mirror and then depart, it really meant that they were not concern with fixing their appearance.

(Proposition)Today, we will examine this; A True believer in Christ, is both a hearer and doer of God’s word, which consists of us continually gazing into the mirror of the perfect law.

(Objective) The objective for us today is to demonstrate that a believers life is one of continually recognition of sin, a continual reliance on the finished work of Christ, and a continual love for God’s law that now resides in us.

objections

I wish to first dismiss any notion or tendency to view this text as teaching a works based salvation. This text is not teaching that we are saved by our works. (read) let’s go look at Romans 4:1-10.

(Preach/quote) We are not justified because our works, but we are declared legally righteous in the eyes of God through faith in Christ. We are saved by God and God ALONE!!! The reason I bring this up, is because we can not look at James and think that James is teaching us that we are saved by works. firstly) because that just isn’t what James is teaching, and secondly) it would be contradicting the rest of scripture to say that James is teaching a works based salvation when every other scripture is heralding that is is by Grace alone. We offer nothing to our salvation. Nothing to our redemption. and Nothing to our release from captivity. The only thing that we contribute to our salvation is the racking up of the wage and curse which was is the result of our sin that Christ paid completely for. ALL GLORY BE TO HIM and HIM ALONE!

With this knowledge and clarity of scripture regarding the good news of man. there are three ways in which this message will be recieved. Turn with me to Matthew 13.

Soils

We are going to read over the parable of the soils where Jesus explains the parables meaning. We do not have time to cover the parable completely, but here Jesus speak of differing soils that I believe is relevant for us today.

(read) Matthew 13:18-22.

Notice here, that these soils sometimes hear the word but because of varying things, whether it is the evil one, the world, persecution, or being choked out, the seed never takes true root. These soils hear the word, but then go away.

(read) Matthew 13:23.

Here we are told that in order to be the type of soil that produces fruit, you must be the soil that hears and understands the word. Meaning that you must be the Elect of God who has been born again to be able to understand the things of God. And that after understanding the word, it will indeed take root and produce fruit.

Hearers only

Go back to James with me, because there are three things that this text tells us about those who are only hearers.

(Read) James 1:22-24.

firstly hearer only are not doers of the word.

secondly, hearers only are deceived. which would mean that they have not been brought forth by the Word of Truth from verse 18 not have they recieved the implanted word of verse 21.

and thirdly, the hearer only, forgets what they are.

This goes back to what we began to discuss at first. What do we contribute to our salvation? Nothing! Why? because all we have is filthy rags in the eyes of the LORD. (convict)

(question) In what ways do we sin? Have you placed anything before God in your heart today? what is it that has occupied your mind and affections: food, clothing, money, or other wordly desires? Have you taken the name of the Lord in vain, whether by pronouncing blasphemy or in your flippant pride? Do you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—Or is your devotion to the Lord divided between lust, greed, and lies? Have you been harboring up hate in your body against your neighbor?— a type of hate that Jesus says is murderous in the heart of man? How pure have your thoughts been through out your life—have your thoughts been pure or have your eyes been filled with adulterous lust? How many of us are thieves?— who cover our tracks so that we might not be caught red handed? How often does your deceitful heart lie to yourself and to others?— Just so you can spin what ever web of lies that others would be caught up in? How often has our mind dwelt in envy overs success?— When you ought to be rejoice with others are you really plotting their demise?

If the person sitting next to you could read your mind and knew all the thoughts you have had this week, would you be ashamed? undoubtedly you would. How much more should you tremble at the thought that our might and holy God is a God who sees. The LORD who sees is a terrifying statement to think about.

Mirror

(Read) James 1:23-24.

Here is the true concern: If you were to look into the law of God, as if you were looking into a mirror, would you see your sin and then walk away forgetting you appearance? — Forgetting your absolute need for Jesus? If you could walk away from this text today and forget your wretchedness before the Lord, you are DECEIVED. I plead with you today, if this is you, hear these words, DO NOT TURN FROM THE LORD because He sees who you really are; vile, wretched, filthy man.

However, if you are a true born again believer, what do you do with that same mirror that the hearer only walks away from? Let’s read James 1:25. (Read)

Before advancing any further with this text, I want to answer a glaring question from this text, and that is; “Why does the person who has recieved the implanted Word, persevere in looking at the perfect law, the law of liberty?”— Why does this person not forget?— The reason for this perseverance directly stems from our God in His gift of regeneration. In regeneration, something very unique happens. Turn with me to Hebrews 8:10. (read)

New Covenant

For those in the New Covenant, for those who receive the mediation of Christ, for those who have been reconciled to God through our savoir, we now have the Law of God written on our hearts of flesh. I want to turn to one more place to further develop this; 2 Cor.3:3-6.

We have the law of God written on our hearts through the work of the Spirit. lets go back to James 1:25. (Read)

Brothers and Sisters, the reason that the believer does not turn away from the mirror--the law of God, it is because the perfect law is now been written on their very hearts.

There are 3 important things that when you look into the perfect law you must persevere and never forget — Three things you must not forget:

firstly, Do not forget who you are. You are a sinner, fallen with Adam, and have earned a wage of death. When you look into the Word of God, you must remember that all your righteous deeds are nothing but filthy rags in the eyes of the Lord. You are indeed revealed as a sinner before God when you consider His perfect Law. You are deserving of the curse of God.

secondly, Do not forget who Christ is. Unlike you, He lived a perfect life. He was made under the law and accomplished — perfectly— all that the law demands. But yet when you look into this mirror, do not also forget, that Christ took the curse and wage of our sin upon Calvary. He who is worthy has done a great thing— He took our wrath! Do not forget this beloved church, Jesus died for our sins according to scripture.

thirdly, Do not forget that you, who were dead in your sins, has been made alive together with Christ. “for by grace you have been saved through faith. and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” When we look at the law, we are constantly reminded about our deficiencies, constantly reminded about Christ excellencies, and now are called to walk in good works.

I can’t stress this enough though. We are not saved by our good works. It is only Christ and His good works that save. But if we have been saved by Christ and His good works, we are then called to good works. So our works do not save us, but as a result of our salvation, as a result of the law of God being written on our hearts, and as a result of not only being hearer who forgets… The believer will also now be a doer who acts. A doer who acts. Good works are a result of the work of God in our hearts.

Conclusion

(Conclude) I want to conclude by reminding us that we all have a mirror at home. a mirror that we gaze into to see our appearance in it. How much time do you spend in it? How much more time ought you to spend in looking at God’s word? Do not be a hearer of God’s word today, who looks at the mirror and then goes about his day forgetting what he looks like in that mirror. A believers life is a life of continually looking at the mirror of the perfect law, never forgetting that we are sinners before our holy God, never forgetting Christ is the only righteous one who stood in our place, and never forgetting that you are called unto good works by being a hearers and then a doers of God’s word! The Doer does because Christ has done what we can not.

I beg you today, look at your appearance — do not forget it! Look unto Christ and do not forget Him. and live your life accordingly.

Pray