Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 75 – James 1:22-25 – Gives Freedom – Growing As Disciples
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NIV)
Freedom
I certainly want to live in freedom. I definitely want to live a life that you can and will bless. Those are good desires that you have in your heart. What must you do if you want to live in freedom? What must be your habits if you want to live a life that I can and will bless? That is a good question. Obviously, you are referring to more than one habit. Yes, I am. First, I must make every effort to hear your word. How will you make every effort to hear my word? How frequently will you make yourself available to hearing my word? I will hear your word by reading your word. I will hear your word by studying your word. I will hear your word by meditating on and memorizing your word. I will hear your word by praying your word. These are some of the ways that I will make every effort to hear your word. I will engage in these efforts to hear your word every day as I come to meet with you in your word. I will sit silently and in solitude before you so I can hear you speaking to me through your word. This is the first habit. This habit will help me to hear your word. I will develop this habit of listening to you. That will be very good.
The second habit that will help me to live in freedom and allow you to bless my life will be to put your word into practice. I can expect to receive no benefit from your word by hearing it but failing to put it into practice. That’s true. So, I will make every effort to put into practice all that you have shown me from your word. I will follow and obey you. I will do what you ask of me. I will allow your word to form the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and the deeds of my life. This is the second habit. Putting your word into practice will bless my life and make me fruitful as I love, follow and serve you. I will develop this habit of putting your word into practice. That will be very good.
Lord, I will not merely listen to your word. I will not deceive myself. I will not forget all that you have said to me. Thank you for richly blessing my life and helping me to live and walk in freedom as I make every effort to both hear and put your word into practice. Amen
Key Question… How has both hearing and putting God’s word into practice given you freedom?
Living It Out… Make every effort to both hear and put God’s word into practice so you can live in freedom.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that you will live in freedom as you hear and put God’s word into practice.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are hearing and putting God’s word into practice.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you live in freedom as you hear and put God’s word into practice.
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