DRAWING NEAR
June 2
Receiving the Word
"This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick
to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man
does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore putting
aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in
humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your
souls" (James 1:19-21).
The key word in today's passage is "receive" (James 1:21). Believers
are to receive God's Word. That's what distinguishes them from
unbelievers. Jesus said to a group of religious unbelievers, "Why do
you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My
word. . . . He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason
you do not hear them, because you are not of God" (John 8:43, 47).
"Hear" in those verses doesn't refer to hearing with the ear only.
Jesus' audience heard in that sense--even to the point of wanting to
kill Him for what He said (v. 59)-- but they didn't receive and obey
His words. By rejecting the truth, they proved themselves to be
children of the devil, who is the father of lies (v. 44).
Peter called God's Word the imperishable, living, and abiding seed
that brings salvation (1 Peter 1:23). But receiving God's Word isn't
limited to salvation alone. As a Christian, you have the Word
implanted within you. Now you must nurture it by removing the weeds
of filthiness and wickedness so it can produce the fruit of
righteousness. That isn't a one-time effort, but a lifestyle of
confession, looking into God's Word, desiring His message, and
longing to obey it. That doesn't mean you'll be sinlessly perfect,
but your life will be marked by ever-increasing spiritual maturity
and obedience to the Word. When you are disobedient, you should feel
an enormous tension in your spirit until you repent and make things
right.
Are you hearing and receiving God's Word in that way? Do those who
know you best see you as a person whose life is governed by biblical
principles? Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly
disciples of Mine" (John 8:31). Receive His truth and abide in it
continually!
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask the Lord to keep you sensitive to His Word in every situation you
face today.
For Further Study:
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14, noting the Thessalonians' response to
God's Word.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
John 8:43-59
43 "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to
listen to My word.
44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father
you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not
stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks
a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the
father of it.
45 "But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
46 "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do
you not believe Me?
47 "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear,
because you are not of God."
48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly
that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?"
49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father,
and you dishonor Me.
50 "And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and
judges.
51 "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall
never see death."
52 Then the Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon!
Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My
word he shall never taste death.'
53 "Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the
prophets are dead. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?"
54 Jesus answered, "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My
Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God.
55 "Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, 'I do
not know Him,' I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep
His word.
56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and
was glad."
57 Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and
have You seen Abraham?"
58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham
was, I AM."
59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself
and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so
passed by.
1 Peter 1:23
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever
1 Thessalonians 2:13-14
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when
you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it
not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
also effectively works in you who believe.
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which
are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things
from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans
~~~
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:
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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