Day 47: Scripture and Obedience

Scripture
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." James 1:22–25 ESV

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." John 14:15 ESV

Confessional Summary
God's Word demands response.

Scripture does not exist to be admired from a distance. It is given to be obeyed. The Westminster Larger Catechism teaches that "the Word of God is to be read with a high and reverent esteem of it; with a firm persuasion that it is the very Word of God, and that he only can enable us to understand it." But understanding is not the goal. The catechism continues: we are to read "with desire to know, believe, and obey the will of God revealed in it" (WLC Q:157).

The Heidelberg Catechism connects faith directly to action. When asked what true faith is, it answers: "True faith is not only a sure knowledge... but also a wholehearted trust... and a firm resolve to live according to all God's commandments" (HC Q:21).

The Canons of Dort affirm that God regenerates His people precisely so they might "will and do what is good" (Third and Fourth Main Points, Article 16). And the Westminster Confession warns that those who "neglect so great salvation" revealed in Scripture "despise and reject the gracious Redeemer" (WLC Q:158).

The Reformed tradition binds hearing to doing. To know God's Word is to be accountable to it. Where there is true faith, there will be willing obedience.

Reflection
James gives an almost comic image. The forgetful hearer is like someone who looks in a mirror, sees himself clearly, then walks away and immediately forgets what he looks like. The forgetful hearer walks away having learned nothing. Hearing without doing is not hearing at all.

God's Word is not background music for your spiritual life. It is the law of liberty, the perfect standard that reveals what you are and what you must become. Open it and you're standing before a mirror. It shows sin but also grace. What you do next matters.

Obedience is not legalism. It's what love looks like when truth makes a demand. Jesus Himself ties love and obedience together in John 14:15. You cannot claim to love Christ while dismissing His commands. That would be like claiming to love someone while ignoring everything they say.

You can hear a sermon, nod in agreement, feel convicted, and still walk away unchanged. Daily reading means nothing if you're the same person you were a year ago. But the one who looks into God's Word and perseveres, not forgetting, but acting, will be blessed in the doing.

Application
Stop reading and start obeying. Take one command from today's Scripture reading and do it before the day ends. Does it say forgive? Then forgive. Give thanks? Say it out loud. Anger? Find where you're feeding it and kill it. Do not wait until you "feel ready" to obey. Obedience does not wait for your affections to catch up. It drags them along.

Prayer
Lord, I have heard Your Word. Now help me do it. Save me from the deception of thinking knowledge is enough. Give me a heart that loves obedience more than comfort, and strength to act on what You have shown me. Let my life bear witness that I have truly heard, for Jesus' sake. Amen.