GENUINE: Hearing and Doing

Evidence of Faith – “How we live.”

“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 this 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.

Nowadays, buying fake items is prevalent for different reasons. For some, they have been deceived into buying them while others choose to do so because they don’t want to spend for the original which usually costs so much more.
Some people can immediately tell the real from the fake. Bank tellers can immediately identify fake bills because they are so used to handling real bills.
Only God can tell if our faith is genuine or not. It is impossible for anyone to be saved apart from God, this is why we must show others that we are saved in the way we live our lives so that we can lead them to Jesus Christ.

FAITH IS PROVEN BY OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD

BENEFITS OF THE WORD OF GOD:

1.The Word saves us.

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you”
James 1:21.

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” Romans 10:17.

It is important that we fill our minds with the Word of God because what we fill our minds with is what we will live by. It takes a while to fill our reserves that’s why we must make it a habit to get into the Word. The Word of God is effective in getting rid of all the filth and temptation.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”
Psalm 119:11.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word”
Psalm 119:9.

Faith is more than just knowing the Word. Faith is how much of the Word has been applied in our lives.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”
James 1:22.

2. The Word gives freedom.

“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 1:25.

Many people are trapped in the cycle of sin such as drug addiction, drunkenness, lying, gambling, stealing and immorality. Knowing the Truth of God’s Word frees us from the bondages of these sins.

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts”
Psalm 119:45.

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”
John 8:31a-32.

3. The Word gives blessings.

“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 1:25.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” Joshua 1:8.

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers”
Psalm 1:3.

It is important that we meditate on the Word of God and apply it in our lives because the bible says that it is through obedience that we prosper. Prosperity is not limited to finances. It also pertains to family, church, friends and health. Prosperity is the ability to enjoy life to the fullest and the key to living an abundant life is when we let the Word of God affect our lives.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”
John 1:1.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” John 1:14.