Blessed

James 1:22-25

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 someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

We’ve been studying the first book of James for the past several days.  As you’ve been reading, you’ve been listening to what it says about going through trials, seeking wisdom, and persevering.

If we read all of this and obey, trusting in faith that his word is true, we will walk in freedom and be blessed.

If we read all of this and walk away unchanged, disobedient, and full of doubt that any good thing comes from serving God, we will continue on feeling dissatisfied, lacking everything.

When we look in a mirror and see a hair out of place, lipstick on our teeth, or a blemish on our faces, we adjust and fix that which is out of place.

It’s no different when we peer into the word and see something out of place in our hearts. 

God gives freedom to those who surrender to his goodness in their lives to right all wrongs, to make crooked paths straight, and to produce gold out of the fire.