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James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 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.” NIV 

 

I don’t like to be slapped across the face. Very few of us do. But in a spiritual sense, however, there are times when we need to be struck into reality. My propensity to drift into apathy, indifference, and laziness requires it at times in my faith walk. Those of us who appreciate that wake-up call have grown to enjoy the book of James. He has an inclination in his style of writing that lovingly shakes me and challenges me to live a life that matters to God. A perfect example is James 1:22-25.  He confronts the tendency I have to do as little as I can to pass the test as well as the habit to reduce things to heartless rules.

 

In the previous few verses, James talks about the advantage of being a good listener. In verse 22 he turns the table and talks about the problem with hearing when it is not followed with active obedience. The analogy is as hard-hitting as the point James is seeking to make. It made me wonder how much time I actually spend looking at myself in the mirror. If you are in the “average” category, then you will look at yourself in the mirror at least eight times a day, for an average of 56 minutes (for bald people this is significantly less). It is kind of hard to forget ourselves when we spend so much time in self-admiration but this is the exact point James is trying to make.

 

If I want all that God desires to do in my life and to experience the full promise of free life in Christ I have to give up the charade and face the challenge to serve him by obeying Him in my everyday life. A conscientious (did you mean cursory nod?) nod and no change in my life means nothing to God. That certainly can hurt, but it is the challenge I need to hear. So, go out and be doers of the Word.