HAVE YOU LEARNED TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Do not merely listen to the Word,
and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
(James 1:22)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever heard of someone described as a “professional student”?
This term is used for someone who perpetually attends institutions of
higher learning. They continue to increase their education, but never
put into practice the things they have learned.

They have the credentials for working for various companies but have
never sought employment at any of them. Without putting into practice
what they have learned, how can they be sure that the things they have
learned will be productive?

There are churches that offer special classes or seminars to benefit
believers. Usually, these classes address certain aspects of living as
a Christian. Praise the Lord for these classes and the ones who are
dedicated to leading them. Some folks sign up for as many as they
can and encourage others to do the same.

However, if they never put into practice the principles they have
learned, then what was the benefit of their attending the classes?
Some can reach a point where they know more than they are doing.
We need to do what we have learned to do before learning more to
do. When we assess our own life as a Christian, many of us can see
that we know more than we are doing.

James tells us that whenever we get an understanding of God’s Word,
we should put into practice what we have learned. For instance, when
we read God’s instructions to ‘love one another’, then we need to focus
on showing love to those around us.
    “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”
    (John 15:17)

What does that mean? It means different things to each person. To some,
it might mean they need to stop being rude and self-centered. To others,
it may mean exercising self-control, and modifying their thoughts, words
and actions. It could mean being sensitive to the concerns of others, and
comforting or encouraging them during their time of need. Overall, it
means expressing love is an important part of our daily lives as followers
of Jesus Christ.

When we study God’s Word, we can see that Jesus has told us that we
there will be a much more permissive society just before He comes back.
    “As it was in the days of Noah, so it
      will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
      (Matthew 24:37)

Of course, no one knows when Jesus will return, but we can see the
signs around us that indicate the possibility of His return very soon.
We have seen a society that encourages us to ‘tolerate’ the things that
are offensive to God. Whenever believers express their disagreement
with things that repulse God, they will be considered (and often called),
mean and intolerant.

As a result of ‘social engineering’, we are becoming an immoral and
decadent society. When we see our world becoming more hedonistic,
we can see what happens when human nature expresses itself without
without God’s standards, guidelines and laws.

The ‘social engineers’ would like to see God removed so everyone can
live without restrictions, and without any feelings of guilt for disobeying
the Lord. However, a society with no restrictions and no accountability
is never a good idea for any society. In spite of the devastating impact it
can have, we see an increase of this ideology in a growing number of
people.

These societal thoughts are affecting the Christian community as well.
Some have adopted the idea that they can believe in God intellectually,
and yet live their life seeking their own desires for pleasure. Some have
failed to establish a relationship with the Lord, so they don’t consider
obedience to His commands as important or relevant.

They have created a mindset that, even though their lives aren’t governed
by the standards God has given us, He will still forgive and take them to
heaven. This kind of thinking is a clear indication that a person should
re-evaluate their profession of faith, and commitment to follow the paths
of Jesus Christ, to determine if it was authentic and sincere.

God says we are not to live according to our own commands;
we are to obey His commands.
    “If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to
      me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and
      commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you….”
      (1 Kings 11:38)

In the New Testament Jesus tells us to obey His commands.
    “If you love me, keep my commands.”
    (John 14:15)
He also tells us that obeying His commands is our opportunity to
express our love for Him. Jesus clearly states that if we don’t obey
His commands, then we don’t love Him.

As James said in the Bible passage for this devotional from the Lord,
we have a responsibility to
    (1) listen to (or read) God’s Word, and
    (2) put into practice the things we have learned.

ACTION:
Have you allowed Satan to deceive you into believing his lies?
Do you consider God’s commands as a kind of smorgasbord,
where you can pick and choose which ones you will obey and
which ones you will ignore? How often do you read the Bible?
Do you read it with the intent of applying its principles to your
own life? Is your life controlled by your desires, or God’s Will?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, teach me to deny my selfish desires
and obey Your commandments instead. Cleanse me so
I will apply Your commands and principles to my own life.
Help me to stop being self-centered, and to instead live a
God-centered life that is closely aligned with the one Jesus
lived when He walked the earth in human form. Teach me
to establish a daily time for reading Your Word and help me
to meditate on what I read, so it will permeate my thoughts,
words, and actions as I live each day for You.”

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