“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:21-22).
James makes a contrast between those who are hearers only and those who are doers. When it comes to receiving the word of God, we must do more than hear it. We must practice it. Our obedience is tied to the salvation of our souls (cf. 1 Peter 1:22).
However, there are many who will take issue with the idea that obedience is tied to salvation, even though the Scriptures plainly link the two (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9). They say our salvation is based on faith, not obedience.
Notice again what James wrote. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” Where does James mention faith or believing? He doesn’t. Or at least not specifically. He mentions hearing and doing.
Why doesn’t James mention faith as being a part of our receiving the word? We are certainly to believe the word. When we look to the discussion of faith and works in chapter 2, we can see why it wasn’t necessary to mention faith or belief in James 1:22.
- James says that our works demonstrate our faith. “But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).
- James says that without works, faith is dead. “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2:17).
If someone truly believes, what will they do when they are taught the word? They will be a doer.
If someone is not a doer of the word, but only a hearer, what does that say about their faith? It is dead. As James wrote, they are deluding themselves.
Let us determine to do as the Scriptures teach us – receive the word with humility and obey it.
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