James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
All thanks and praise to the Most High for bringing us safely through another crazy, tumultuous year! It’s a time when we review the year just past and resolve to do better in the coming months. Full of vim and vigour, often assisted by heady libations,(smile) we faithfully promise ourselves that this will be the year we work those resolutions through to the very end. But alas, faced by the stress and busyness of our lives, within a short period, those resolutions fall by the wayside and we plod along just like before. It’s not easy to make changes to an accustomed lifestyle, but sometimes we’ve just got to take the bull by the horns and do it. And for 2008 Friends, I want us to make one resolution and resolutely follow it; that’s to be doers of the word and not only hearers. It’s very easy to listen, but downright difficult to get out there and actually do. But that’s the job we’re called on to perform; spreading the Word. And how can we spread the Word if we don’t meet people and tell them about it, then put what we’ve spoken into practice eh? Remember, personal examples are much more powerful than mere words. As Cousin James nicely puts it, if we’re only hearing and not doing, then we’re deceiving ourselves. I’m not as politically correct though, I’ll tell it like it is: We’re just a bunch of so and so hypocrites when we spout the Word and don’t practice it. But that seems to be the prevailing style nowadays. Everybody’s running around mouthing, ‘Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!’ etc, etc. But ask them when last they gave somebody in need, a cup of hot water or a piece of bread, or an old coat to keep out the winter chill. Hn! They won’t be able to answer. As James says, we’re too Narcissus-like; looking in the mirror and only seeing ourselves. Friends, I believe that’s one of the serious shortcomings of our faith today; too much feel good jargon and not enough actual getting down and dirty in the trenches. The Christian faith is supposed to be one of action; helping, working, forgiving, loving. That’s the type of person Jesus was; a mover and shaker. He did not simply sit around and spew forth high sounding doctrine. We need to get up and do. It’s the only way to keep the faith strong and growing, running with a smooth, beautiful riddim. It’s like any living organism or mechanical apparatus, if you don’t service and maintain them regularly, they eventually die. That’s why I’m pleading with us people, that this year, if we only make one resolution, please let it be that we’ll all endeavour to be better doers of the Word. It’s also in our best interest, because, as Cousin James rightly says, a doer shall indeed be blessed. Now isn’t that wonderful? Much LOVE!…let’s do people…let’s just get up and do…plenty blessings will follow…
All thanks and praise to the Most High for bringing us safely through another crazy, tumultuous year! It’s a time when we review the year just past and resolve to do better in the coming months. Full of vim and vigour, often assisted by heady libations,(smile) we faithfully promise ourselves that this will be the year we work those resolutions through to the very end. But alas, faced by the stress and busyness of our lives, within a short period, those resolutions fall by the wayside and we plod along just like before. It’s not easy to make changes to an accustomed lifestyle, but sometimes we’ve just got to take the bull by the horns and do it. And for 2008 Friends, I want us to make one resolution and resolutely follow it; that’s to be doers of the word and not only hearers. It’s very easy to listen, but downright difficult to get out there and actually do. But that’s the job we’re called on to perform; spreading the Word. And how can we spread the Word if we don’t meet people and tell them about it, then put what we’ve spoken into practice eh? Remember, personal examples are much more powerful than mere words. As Cousin James nicely puts it, if we’re only hearing and not doing, then we’re deceiving ourselves. I’m not as politically correct though, I’ll tell it like it is: We’re just a bunch of so and so hypocrites when we spout the Word and don’t practice it. But that seems to be the prevailing style nowadays. Everybody’s running around mouthing, ‘Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!’ etc, etc. But ask them when last they gave somebody in need, a cup of hot water or a piece of bread, or an old coat to keep out the winter chill. Hn! They won’t be able to answer. As James says, we’re too Narcissus-like; looking in the mirror and only seeing ourselves. Friends, I believe that’s one of the serious shortcomings of our faith today; too much feel good jargon and not enough actual getting down and dirty in the trenches. The Christian faith is supposed to be one of action; helping, working, forgiving, loving. That’s the type of person Jesus was; a mover and shaker. He did not simply sit around and spew forth high sounding doctrine. We need to get up and do. It’s the only way to keep the faith strong and growing, running with a smooth, beautiful riddim. It’s like any living organism or mechanical apparatus, if you don’t service and maintain them regularly, they eventually die. That’s why I’m pleading with us people, that this year, if we only make one resolution, please let it be that we’ll all endeavour to be better doers of the Word. It’s also in our best interest, because, as Cousin James rightly says, a doer shall indeed be blessed. Now isn’t that wonderful? Much LOVE!…let’s do people…let’s just get up and do…plenty blessings will follow…
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