Scripture: James 1:22-24
You must be doers of the word and not only hearers who mislead themselves. Those who hear but don’t do the word are like those who look at their faces in a mirror. They look at themselves, walk away, and immediately forget what they were like.
Thought for the Day: Protestant theology has often struggled with this idea as it wants to rely entirely upon God’s grace and not works as the means to righteousness. I believe that Protestant theology (I should probably say theologies – plural) have no reason for worry as James does not diminish grace. All he is wanting to do is not cheapen the grace as Dietrich Bonhoeffer suggested. At the end of the day, it is grace and grace alone, but those who appreciate and seize the gift of grace are those who realize that grace brings with it responsibility. Not that perfection should ever be our goal, but if your life doesn’t resemble the grace of God in Jesus Christ, then you might want to ask yourself, “Have I really understood and embraced the gift?” Have we seen the divine image only to walk away and forget its beauty and power.
Prayer: Let us hear your words of grace, O God, and then make room for the Living Word to dwell within us. Allow for what has been revealed in Jesus Christ to become the model for those who have received and enjoyed your gift. Amen.
