| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"Peter G. Chase" |
| Date: |
08 Jun 2004 01:30:34 AM |
| Object: |
DN Being a Doer of the Word 6/8/2004 |
DRAWING NEAR
June 8
Being a Doer of the Word
"Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who
delude themselves" (James 1:22).
Effective Bible study is built on three key questions: What does the
Bible say? What does it mean? How does it apply to my life? Each of
those questions is important, but applying the Word must always be
the highest goal. Knowledge without application is useless.
Both the Old and New Testaments emphasize the importance of applying
Scripture. For example, just prior to leading the Israelites into the
Promised Land, Joshua received this message from God: "This book of
the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on
it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all
that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous,
and then you will have success" (Josh. 1:8). That's a command to be a
doer of the Word--one who receives, studies, and understands
Scripture, then applies it to every aspect of his or her life. That
was the key to Joshua's amazing success.
James 1:22 is a New Testament counterpart to Joshua 1:8 and is
directed to every believer: "Prove yourselves doers of the word, and
not merely hearers who delude themselves." It's not enough to hear
the Word; you must also do what it says.
The phrase "doer of the word" doesn't refer to the person who obeys
periodically, but the one who habitually and characteristically
obeys. It's one thing to run in a race; it's something else to be a
runner. It's one thing to teach a class; it's something else to be a
teacher. Runners are known for running; teachers are known for
teaching--it's characteristic of their lives. Similarly, doers of the
Word are known for their obedience to biblical truth.
Never be content to be a hearer of the Word only, but prove yourself
a doer in the Christian life. Your claim to love Christ will mean
something only if you obey what He says.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Memorize Joshua 1:8 and pray regularly that God will make you a
faithful doer of the Word.
For Further Study:
Read Psalm 1.
What are the benefits of delighting in God's law? How does the
psalmist characterize those who reject righteousness?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Joshua 1:8
8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you
shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do
according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your
way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the
scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he
meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That
brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not
wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind
drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners
in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the
ungodly shall perish.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus Is?
http://64.167.21.35/bible_faqs/bible_content.php?qa=tract.htm
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
.
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