SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
In today’s passage, James focuses deeper into the Word of God. He stresses the fact that we must live out what Scripture says! I love how the NIV states it, “do what it says.” It is not enough to hear the Word; we must do it. Many people have the mistaken idea that hearing a good sermon or Bible study is what makes them grow. It is not the hearing but the doing that changes our lives. Too many Christians mark their Bibles, but their Bibles never mark them! When you read the Bible do you apply what you have read or ignore it so you don’t have to change? James paints a picture of the Word and he refers to it as a mirror. There a few reason why James relates the Word to a mirror but I want to look at two of them.
1.) Examination
This is the main purpose for owning a mirror, to be able to see yourself and make yourself look as clean and neat as possible. As we look into the mirror of God's Word, we see ourselves as we really are. James mentions several mistakes people make as they look into God's mirror.
First, we simply glance at ourselves. We do not carefully study ourselves as we read the Word. Many sincere believers read a chapter of the Bible each day, but it is only a religious exercise and they fail to profit from it personally. It is the difference between a simple photo and an X ray. Listen to what Hebrews says about God’s Word.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Scripture cuts deep when we truly examine it. It can discern the attitudes and thoughts of our heart. Scripture will change our lives if we examine it and not simply skim through it.
The second mistake is that we forget what we see. If we were looking deeply enough into our hearts, what we would see would be unforgettable! When the Holy Spirit burdens our heart, do we change that action, attitude or behavior or are we indifferent about our spiritual growth? Tons of people hate Scripture because they know if they read it they will be convicted to change. People are comfortable and they don’t want to change.
Mistake number three: they fail to obey what the Word tells them to do. They think that hearing is the same as doing, and it is not.
2.) Transformation
Transformation is the process of change in our lives. Too many believers will confess their sins and receive forgiveness yet never change that pattern of sin in their lives. They will continue to slip up and fail. Transformation is important to the Lord. Look at Romans 12.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
God doesn’t want us to conform to the world but to continually transform ourselves. I thank God that I am different person today than I was year ago, 5 years ago and so on. Anything healthy grows. If want to have spiritual growth we must be willing transform how we live, how we think and how we love!
When we truly examine ourselves as we study God’s word and do what it says transformation will happen. It may not be a huge change but there will be some change. We slowly become more and more like Christ. Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The next time your hear a sermon, go to a bible study or have your quiet time in the Word, will you apply what you have read or merely listen. This is why we ask the question, “So What?” If we don’t apply it we will never grow, we will never be transformed.
Make it happen!
-Pastor Matt
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