The book of James has been a rich source of biblical realities for centuries. The book was fundamentally written to expose the deceptive practices and also teach the correct Christian behavior. Many believers label the letter of James as one that is immensely filled with wisdom. The message of James gives an expression deep founded concern for the persecuted Christians that initially part of the Jerusalem church. Through virtually almost every section in the book of James, he speaks concerning poverty, riches, trials, acting the word, wisdom and the tongue. The scriptures are filled with productive theological principles that need to be practiced by every believer in their Christian walk. We are to study James 1: 22-25; the main point, religious principle and application in real life.
Step 1: Discovery of the Original Meaning
James, Jesus half-brother and Jew convert, fundamentally writes to the suffering Christians concerning trials and tribulations. James shares his knowledge and wisdom on several practical aspects of afflictions, and that which seems to be the most resourceful one is in James 1: 22-25. The central idea in James 1:22-25 is that of becoming a doer of the word and not merely a listener. James mentions in verse 22 that, “22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” Why should one be considered a fool for only listening? James provides an analogy that being a listener of the word and not obeying is like glancing into a mirror. That means that an individual is not paying attention to the details that are provided. Verse 23 takes an entirely separate meaning. One can tentatively argue that the face that an individual was born with is not exactly what God wants him to be. Such an example can assist the believer to understand that though one is capable of seeing what God created them to be, they might be doing nothing about it. That brings us back to the previous verse, verse 22, rather than being a listener you got to be a doer of the word.
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Step 2: Theological Principles
It is crucial to understand the historical background of James 1:22-25 to understand the theological principles. A commentary, Richard (2017) notes that James was known as a “paraenetic encyclical” and communicated to the diaspora Jewish Christians and taught them on the manner of living as the messianic Jews. James was a Jew convert that best reflected the Hebrew mind: austere, conscientious, and legal. The context of the book of James alters the manner in which it is read, written and understood. The background check allows us to infer the lives of the Christians that James is writing to. The fundamental theological principle in James 1 22-25 is that wisdom entails becoming a doer of the word. That is a timeless principle since Christians have and will occasionally be subjected to trials. Christians should continually be reminded of verse 25 so that they look into the perfect law that sets persons free and ultimately be blessed for doing it.
Step 3: Application of the Theological Principle
The theological truth that wisdom entails becoming a doer of the word is a principle that the Christian of that particular dispensation lived by. Though such a biblical reality was jotted over two centuries ago, it still relevant application in our lives. There are some scenarios that I can apply this principle in my life. I vehemently fear evangelism not sharing the gospel with a stranger but with my unsaved family members (Moo, 2015). It is often mentioned that if you only listen to the word, then you are a fool. Mathew 28:19 advises Christians to respond to Gods call of making disciples of all the nations. It is shameful to realize that I am more of a listener than a doer of the word. It is essential that I take this theological truth and make an apt application of it in my life. Not only struggling with gospel sharing, but I also struggle with doing my daily devotions. Also, it is important that I perform what the word of God says and that is to train myself in the word (Towns, 2016). I am well aware that am not solely the Christian that struggles with particular life situations, but we need to understand and fix the issues. As we continue to stay with these theological principles, we can learn on the ways of becoming stronger Christian who are doers of the word.
After intense study of James 1: 22-25, I am capable of discovering the central point of locating the principle and apply it in your life. God’s word is rich and so powerful at the same time. It is sharper than any double-edged sword. It is capable of discerning the innermost thoughts of an individual. James presented an influential school of thought to the persecuted Christians in the book of James. Such wisdom is timeless and remains relevant even in the current dispensation. An interpretation James 1:22-25 makes us capable of challenging, growing and understanding what is meant by being a doer of the word.
References
Bauckham, Richard. James . Routledge, 2017. New Testament Readings. EBSCO host , ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=60640&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Moo, Douglas J... James, InterVarsity Press, 2015. ProQuest EBook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=3317056 .
Towns, Elmer L., and Ben Gutierrez. 2016. The Essence of the New Testament: a Survey . B&H Academic,
Graves, M. (2017). Biblical interpretation in the early church . Fortress Press.
