WEEKLY
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An
international Sunday school lesson commentary
For
Sunday August 9, 2020
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HEARING AND DOING THE WORD
(Wisdom requires that we act upon the Word
of GOD)
(James 1:19-27)
In James’ doctrinal letter to the Jewish diaspora, in
chapter 1, verses 19-27, he borrows a thought from his brother, JESUS’ powerful
“Sermon on the Mount”. In fact, here we see the same strong, positive, divine
advice that JESUS HIMSELF imparted to us that day, as HE ended HIS most famous discourse,
on the slopes of the Mount of Beatitudes, way back in the first century. It was
a demand from our LORD and SAVIOR that we first “hear”, and then “do”, exactly
what GOD created us to do (Matthew 7:24-29).
We can begin to build our foundations on
the “Most High Faith”, which is “Christianity”, by first, being quick to listen to the Word
of GOD. Secondly, we must think before we speak, and
James
says, and rightfully so, that our anger can never make things right in GOD’s
sight (v.20). We, as GOD’s greatest creation (mankind), need to face ourselves
spiritually, and then, strive to improve our spiritual appearance under GOD. We
also need to get rid of the “filth” and “evil” (“ryparian”-which is “moral
filth”) in our lives, and “humbly accept the message that GOD is seeking to
implant in our hearts”. This will, in turn, “save our souls” from eternal
destruction and damnation (v.21).
The Scriptures describe “the wise” as being
those who have the faith and courage to put GOD’s Word into action, starting
with their own life. They first, “hear and see” what the Scriptures say, and
they don’t try to change it, or water it down, as so to pretend that they don’t
have to change very much in the life that they currently lead, before they can
line up with GOD’s standards.
Every person, before they can come to
CHRIST, must be willing to make “radical changes” in the way that they live. They
must, first, “recognize that they need GOD”. This admission will give a person
the courage that they need, in order to “earnestly repent”, and then “humble
themselves” so that we can receive the good things that GOD so desires to give
us.
As a final thought, I leave you with this
bit of wisdom. There is only one word that sums up the process of “hearing and
doing”, in both the English language, and, in the original biblical Greek. In
the biblical Greek, that word is “hupakoe” (hoop-ak-o-ay), and it means, “to
listen attentively”, and, “to heed or conform to command or authority”. And in
the English language, that one word is “obedience”.
It
is JESUS’ claim that “obedience to HIM” is the only “true foundation”. “I AM
the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE”, is what HE said to a “doubting Thomas” in
John 14:6. In the final analysis, all we, as human beings, ever really seek “knowledge”
for, is to pursue and obtain a better life for ourselves, and, for our families.
For we never seek knowledge just for knowledge sake, but rather, for how that
knowledge can be used to make our lives more worth living.
It is JESUS’ contention that “life through
HIM” is the only life worth living. No one can go to GOD the FATHER, except by
JESUS. HE alone, is “the Way” to GOD. In HIM, we see exactly what GOD is like. And
only HE, can usher us into GOD’s OWN glorious presence, without fear, without
guilt, and, without shame.
Primarily, the professed Christian must
come to understand that the only way to a “better life” has always been, and,
will forever be, through CHRIST JESUS our LORD, WHO is the LIVING WORD of GOD.
If we keep looking steadily into GOD’s WORD, the truth of HIS WORD will
ultimately set us free. And, if we “do” what GOD’s WORD says, and don’t forget
what we saw and heard, GOD will bless us for doing so, for all eternity.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D.
Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER-
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