Evening Reading & Reflection: "The Corrective: "Hear and Do" (James 1:19-27)

"The Corrective: Hear and Do

James 1:19-27

Qualities Needed in Trials
19 [a]So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Doers—Not Hearers Only
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and [b]overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone [c]among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

See vv. 19-20: "THE WRATH OF MAN" is unjust, ungracious and severe. This wrath comes from uncontrolled anger, and not from God's judgement. For us all to be able to discern "THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD" this requires patience, graciousness, and for us all to have controlled passions, responding to circumstances with godly responses.

We see in v. 25: St. James- is taking the Jewish notion of freedom- that notion was obedience to the Law- and it also applies to Christ"s law, His commandment to love others as He loved us. See James 2:8:" If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;"

See vv. 26-27: We see here in scripture we are given three examples of the relationship between faith and works: (1): "MASTERY OVER SPEECH"- (2): "MINISTRY TO THE NEEDY"- (3): "MORAL PURITY IN THOUGHT AND DEED"

"Do not let the widows be neglected; after the Lord, you must be their guardian." (Ignatius of Antioch).

Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.” ’
In Christ love ❤️ Jared W Campbell
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