ARE YOU LEARNING 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.
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 for the benefit of believers.
Usually these classes address certain aspects of living
as a Christian, and are designed to help our spiritual growth.

Praise the Lord for these classes
and the ones who are dedicated to lead them.
However, there are some folks who sign up for as
many as possible, and encourage others to do the same.

But the problem is, if they never put into practice
the principles they have learned, then what was
the benefit of attending the classes?
One of Satan’s weapons of distraction is busyness.

Oftentimes a person can reach a point
where they “know more than they are doing”.
We should strive to do what we know to do,
before learning about more to do.

We need to prove (to ourselves) we are capable of making
changes in our lives based on what we already know.
When we have proven that we can apply God’s principles
to our lives, then we are ready to learn more of His doctrine.

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 ALL of those around us.
“These things I command you, that you love one another.”
(John 15:17)

What does that mean?
It means different things to each person.
To some, it may mean they need to stop
being rude and self-centered.

To others, it might mean exercising self-control,
and changing 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 that expressing love
should be an important part of our daily lives.

When we review God’s Word, we can see how Jesus
warned us that we will experience 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 that indicate the possible nearness of His return.
We will see a society that encourages believers to ‘tolerate’
the things that are offensive to God.

“Toleration” leads to “acceptance”, and
“acceptance” leads to “embracing” the things
of the world as a replacement for the things of God.

Whenever believers express their disagreement
with things that repulse God, they will be considered
as (and even called), mean spirited and intolerant.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice
and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the
same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
(Matthew 5:11-13)

As a result of ‘social engineering’,
we are becoming an immoral and decadent society.
When we see our world becoming more hedonistic, we see
the increase of human nature expressing itself without God.

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.
No restrictions and no accountability is never a good
idea for any society, however we see an increase of
this desire 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.

We cannot fail to establish a relationship with the Lord,
consider obeying His commands as unimportant or irrelevant,
and then expect him to invite us to sit at His table.
Sincere believers will have a desire for a relationship with the Lord.

God says we are not to live according to our own commands;
instead 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 tells us that obeying His commands
is our opportunity to express our love for Him.
By default, Jesus tells us that if we do not
obey His commands, then we do not love Him.

As James said in the Bible passage above,
we have a responsibility to:
(1) listen to (and read) God’s Word
(2) put into practice the things we have learned

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?
How often do you read the Bible?
Do you read it with the intention
of applying God’s principles and values to your own life?
Is your life controlled by your own desires, or God’s Will?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, teach me to deny my selfish desires
and obey Your commandments. Cleanse me so that I will
apply Your commands and principles to my own life. Help
me to stop being self-centered and become God-centered.
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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