Hearers and Doers | Eastside church of Christ

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:21-22). James made a contrast between those who are hearers only and those who are doers. When it comes to receiving the word of God, we must do more than just hear it; we must practice it. Our obedience is tied to the salvation of our souls (cf. 1 Peter 1:22). However, there are many who will take issue with the idea that obedience is tied to salvation, even though the Scriptures plainly link the two (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9). They say our salvation is based on faith, not obedience. Notice again what James wrote: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22). Where does James mention faith or believing? He did not – at least not specifically. He mentioned hearing and doing. Why did James not mention faith as being a part of our receiving the word? We are certainly to believe the word. When we look to the discussion of faith and works in James 2, we can see why it was not necessary to mention faith or belief in James 1:22.

James said that our works demonstrate our faith. “But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works’” (James 2:18).
James said that without works, faith is dead. “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2:17).

If someone truly believes, what will he do when he is taught the word? He will be a doer. If someone is not a doer of the word, but only a hearer, what does that say about his faith? It is dead. As James wrote, he is deluding himself. Let us determine to do what the Scriptures teach us to do – receive the word with humility and obey it.