Main Point and Overview:
In this next section, James bridges the all-important gap of knowledge and action. It’s not enough to know about the truth; you must do the truth! He gives to us some important formulas beginning with QUICK TO LISTEN + SLOW TO SPEAK + SLOW TO ANGER. The key to growing our relationships, both with God and others, is our intentional application of this spiritual formula. When we take a breath and listen, we are now positioned to hear the hearts of people and more importantly the truth of God. We are now positioned to “live out” what we have been hearing. We must not simply consume truth; we must characterize truth. When the Word of God convicts us of our present condition, we must make changes. Inevitably, people are going to make us angry. Often, we make matters worse with sinful reactions. One obvious context is in our relationships. James begins the section giving to us a relationship formula for success, and he ends this section by applying that formula into “true religion” which is expressed in human relationships. As the Nike slogan so creatively proclaims: “Just Do It!” We are called to the kind of spiritual application that will change even our relationships!
In this next section, James bridges the all-important gap of knowledge and action. It’s not enough to know about the truth; you must do the truth! He gives to us some important formulas beginning with QUICK TO LISTEN + SLOW TO SPEAK + SLOW TO ANGER. The key to growing our relationships, both with God and others, is our intentional application of this spiritual formula. When we take a breath and listen, we are now positioned to hear the hearts of people and more importantly the truth of God. We are now positioned to “live out” what we have been hearing. We must not simply consume truth; we must characterize truth. When the Word of God convicts us of our present condition, we must make changes. Inevitably, people are going to make us angry. Often, we make matters worse with sinful reactions. One obvious context is in our relationships. James begins the section giving to us a relationship formula for success, and he ends this section by applying that formula into “true religion” which is expressed in human relationships. As the Nike slogan so creatively proclaims: “Just Do It!” We are called to the kind of spiritual application that will change even our relationships!
Posted in Devotional