Being a Doer of the Word

Many of you recall Romper Room—that children’s TV program from the 50s–90s!

I recall the hostess peering through her magic mirror and naming people in her viewing audience. I also recall a “Mr. Do Bee” and a “Mr. Don’t Bee.” The hand puppets aimed to instill good eti-

Steve Taylor Pastor Bethlehem Baptist Church

quette. “Do Bee good boys and girls for your parents!” and “Don’t Bee like this . . . .”

In Workout #2 for our Christian faith, James gives us a “do be” and a “don’t be” for hearing the Word of God.

He says, “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). We hear the Word in many ways. In the Sunday worship service, in our Sunday school class, our weekly Bible study, daily Bible reading, or favorite TV preacher.

That’s good. For your initial faith in Christ, if you are saved, came through hearing the good news of Christ. “ Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).

But we are not to be “hearers only.” (That’s the “don’t be.”) We are not to take in the Word of God and take off from church thinking, “I’m done. I’m good til next Sunday.”

James likens such an attitude to someone who looks in the mirror and goes on with his or her day—not fixing anything. How unreal is that? No brushing the hair . . . no trimming the moustache . . . no applying makeup!

When we hear the Word of God, there is always something to fix. An attitude to correct. A motive to purify. A sin to forsake. An action to practice.

So we must be doers of the Word. (That’s the “do be.”) We must not forget it but obey it. James calls each Christian to be “an effectual doer,” not “a forgetful hearer” (James 1:25). We must work the Word into our lives! www.momsinprayer.org

What is our daily reward? True happiness. James says, “This man will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25) Jesus says the same –“Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it” (Lk 10:28) And so does this grand hymn Trust and obey for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

Our Mission: Moms In Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray.