God rewards Obedience James 1 :22-25

Submission to God’s word is not only by acknowledging that it’s true, but by walking in obedience to the truth it teaches. How can we even start acknowledging when we have not heard? We cannot start talking about obedience if we have not received any command to obey.

   1.      Obedience to God begins by actively hearing

Vs 19-20 of this text starts by pointing out that we must hear actively. To hear actively, you must avoid talking too much, you must avoid reacting in anger. These two will block you from hearing clearly. Then receive the implanted word with meekness, without filthiness or wickedness. In doing this, one is actively abandoning the old sinful lifestyle that would stop him or her from hearing the word of God.

Do you regularly position yourself to hear the Word of God clearly? Or are you the kind who gets the word and assigned to other people even when God is clearly speaking to you?  Do you allow the Word of God to speak to your heart, rather than simply talking or reacting in anger? Do you walk away from those practices that keep you from hearing?

   2.      Obedience to God is a continuous act it’s not punctual vs 22-24

James says be doers of the word and not just hearers. Hearers are deceiving themselves. It is an ongoing action. You can listen to the best preacher on the pulpit, the best radio teacher or the best Bible teaching leader and still dishonour God by disobeying the word you have heard. That is what the Bible calls self-deception. You are not deceiving the preacher or the teacher but you are deceiving yourself. How frequent you listen to sermons on your smartphone or in Bible study class is not the measure of your submission to God and His word.

True submission to God and His word is not demonstrated by the amount of time we put in listening to his word but by the degree of obedience we put to it. Jesus says those who are in true relationship with him obey his commands (John 14:15). They are not the people who hear his command but those who hear actively (ie doers) of his word.

Does the way you live your life demonstrate consistent, active submission to God and His Word through a lifestyle of ongoing obedience?

   3.      God Rewards Obedience Vs 25

The one who looks intently into the perfectly law of freedom and perseveres in it without forgetting will be blessed. You must be intentional when you look into the word of God which is the perfect law of freedom. It is not works that you will be held prisoner by law but grace that gives you perfect freedom. But you must persevere in doing the word not just hearing the word like the one who looks in the mirror and forgets what he saw. True obedience comes with perseverance and not a forgetful hearer who fails to do the good works. Freedom under God's law is not freedom to do what I want, but a freedom to do what I ought – having been set free from the bondage of sin (see Romans 6). That is living according to God’s purpose.

When we obey God, the love of God will enrich us greatly. Blessing follows obedience.

Who then are blessed of God?

1. Those who Trust the Lord – (Jer. 17:7” Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.”; Luke 11:27-28).

2. Those who Fear the Lord – (Ps. 128:1)” Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways”.

3. Those whose Sins are Forgiven – (Ps. 32:2-3” Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. “; Rom. 4:8).

4. Those whose way is blameless – (Ps. 119:1a)

5. Those who walk (who obey) in the law of God – (Ps.119:1b)

Our obedience to God allows Him to demonstrate His awesome power in our lives. Our obedience also allows God to bless others through us.

Gen 22:18 says “and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”  

Exodus 19:5 says “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;” and Jesus himself says in Luke 11:28 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Does this mean that we should obey God for the sake of blessings? No. Instead, we should please God and obey Him because of who He is. Therefore, the greatest reward we can attain is His Love and Favour.

Conclusion

To you who has not received Christ as Saviour, the first act of submission and obedience is to repent and, by faith, trust in Christ as the only Saviour. You cannot pretend that you will receive any blessings. It is for obedient believers.

To you who has already confessed Christ Jesus be obedient to the word of God by hearing actively. Do not fool yourself that is punctual but an ongoing action that needs perseverance.  You will be persecuted for obeying Christ. That is sure and certain for true believers. But know that others have gone through it and that should encourage you. Our Lord has gone through it and we are not more than our master. All the apostles died like martyrs and a tragic death but they were joyful when persecuted. Even John who did not die a tragic death was placed inside boiled oil. Have you been fried alive? Know that the persecutions of others were really serious, and so you can go through your own. Rejoice because your reward is sure and will begin on earth before it is complete in eternity. Persevere in obedience to God’s word! Shalom!