Thursday, November 30, 2017

James 1:23-25 has often been misrepresented regarding faith and works. Let's look.  23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

1) Jesus plainly tells us His words are spirit and life(John 6:63) So in hearing(Receiving) His word you are receiving life, grace and truth(John 1:17)

2) His word is a mirror that shows our true identity as righteous sons and daughters of God.

3) The one who sees their true reflection and walks "in" it is a doer of the word and blessed in his deeds.(Interestingly “Doer” in the Greek is poy-ay-tace' ; a performer ; especially a " poet ": doer, poet. A POET RECITES, SO A DOER RECITES THE WORD OF GOD!) Holy Spirit and Grace enable us to do this! See also 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. And Galatians 5:1 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. I love you all very much! (NLM)