In my previous post, we looked at why it is important to both hear and do the Word of God (see, “Hear and Do”). I want to continue examining that teaching today, but in a more practical sense. Studying the Bible must be more than gathering information. Transformation doesn’t come from information by itself, but when that information affects us in ways that compel us to act.
I want to dive into what doing the Word of God looks like. We will never grow to be more like Christ as long as we are only reading what He says. We must do it! Most people who read this blog are familiar with the Bible. We know what it says, but are we living it?
The Bible tells us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44-45; Luke 6:27–28). How are you doing with that? When you read about those profaning God’s name, engaging in repulsive forms of immorality, or inflicting the vilest evils on children and the most vulnerable, is your first thought to love them? If I’m honest, my first thought is a far more violent (and just as sinful) response. As followers of Christ, we must, by definition, hate all sin. Yet, must never forget that we were once dead and lost in our sins (Ephesians 2:1–3). We are no better than those whose sins we hate, and we are every bit as guilty (Romans 3:23). If not for the saving knowledge of Jesus, we would be just as dead (Titus 3:3–5).
While it has been going on for centuries around the world, being persecuted for our faith is a somewhat recent phenomenon in the West. People are being arrested for praying in silence, expressing an opinion, and attending religious services. Those opposed to Christianity mock believers and do everything they can to eradicate them from public discourse and participation. Knowing this, remember that God’s Word tells us to pray for those who curse us (Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14). We don’t want to pray for them; we want to fight back. But Jesus said to pray for them, so we must do it.
The last thing I’ll discuss today is the most painful for me. God’s Word says we must love the Lord above all else (Matthew 22:37–38; Deuteronomy 6:5). Knowing we already often fall short of loving our enemies and praying for those who curse us, it is devastating to recognize how often we fail to follow this all-important command as well (1 John 2:15–17). We say we love Him, but loving Him means we keep His commands (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3–4). We say we put Him first in everything, yet more often find ourselves on our couches watching Netflix than on our knees studying His Word. While we might hear God’s Word, we don’t do it.
In our strength alone, we can only hear the Word; we can’t do it. It’s not all bad news. God’s strength enables us to accomplish all things He gives us to do, and to do them for His glory (Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:29). The grace and mercy of God know no depths, and His forgiveness is unfathomable (Lamentations 3:22–23; Psalm 103:8–12). The first thing we need to do is stop pretending we are doers of the Word. We are hearers who often long to be doers, but our sinful nature and desires keep getting in the way.
The only way to become a doer is to devote ourselves to being in the Word every day (Psalm 1:1–3; Joshua 1:8). The more we hear it, the more we will want to do it. Discipleship is not for the casual believer. It is only for those who ache to serve the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). We are weak, but He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). We are defeated, but He is victorious (1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 8:35-37). In Him, there is the ability to resist the world and worship Christ in all we do. Don’t just hear the Word of God. Do it (James 1:22)!