Musing – What’s the Difference Between a Hearer and a Doer?

 

Hebraic Musing – What’s the Difference Between a Hearer and a Doer?

Life is a trial; James recognized that in the first chapter of his book.  “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:19-21 NKJV   Personal confession, my nature is not “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”.  Therefore, James had to remind us to lay aside the stuff that does not lead to salvation of souls.

My favorite Bible verse might be the very next verse - “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22   Considering the preceding three verses, opening with the word “But” makes sense.  Three reasons we should be concerned about being a “Doer” instead of simply a “Hearer”:

First concern would be knowing that Jesus’ final command to us was to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;…” Matthew 28:19-20   That is a call to action, the doing that Jesus commanded of us, His disciples!  The early Christians were “Doers”, thus, they took the Gospel to the entire known world within a few hundred years! 

Our Second concern should be for those folks around us every day.  We have ministry opportunities in our own family before even going out the door.  And do we know the Spiritual status of co-workers?  And what about servers and clerks and salespeople and others we encounter throughout the day?

A Third concern would be our own appreciation of what God’s grace and salvation has meant for us personally!  What better gift to share than our salvation testimony and the joy we’ve experienced?  Didn’t we learn to share in kindergarten?  How effective might your personal testimony be as a witnessing tool?!?!

Charles Spurgeon - “I fear we have many such in all congregations; admiring hearers, affectionate hearers, attached hearers, but all the while unblest hearers, because they are not doers of the word.”

Will hearing and knowing God’s Word help us in evangelism?  Should it increase out desire to share God’s Word?  What’s our purpose(s) for going to church one, two or three times a week?

 - Fellowship; personal encouragement.  (But to do what?)
 - Obedience to God.  (As an example to your family only?)
 - Save souls.  (But there are probably more opportunities to do that at Walmart!?!?)
 - To grow in understanding of our role in the Kingdom.  (But what is our role in His Kingdom?)
 - To enjoy fellowshipping during ministries & Bible studies.  (But why?)
 - Habit & a good one.  (But why?)
 - To hear God’s Word.  (But what will we do with it?)

Points to Ponder

What eternal value is there in simply being a masterful student of the Bible?

Will the question at the pearly gate be –
How much of the Bible did you memorize?   or    How often did you attend church?  
Maybe God is more likely to ask “What did you do to build My Kingdom?”

Do we have our Salvation Testimonies prepared and ready to share?
Does your neighbor know our testimony?
How much do we love our neighbor(s)?

“… be doers of the word, and not hearers only,..” James 1:22

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     July 18, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com