Lesson 10: The Great Divorce (part 3)
Read James 1:19-27 - www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.1.esv

When we have a teachable spirit we welcome the Word. Whenever truth knocks we are to open the door and welcome it with great hospitality. Many Christians end up with lives that are divorced from the truth because they think that agreeing with scripture is the same thing as obeying it. James warns us to be careful to not only hear and receive the Word but to act on what we have heard. (James 1:22)

Notice James doesn’t just say “be doers,” activists who don’t know His Word. Nor is He interested in hearers, people who know His word but do nothing. This is like someone who audits a course at the university – someone who listens carefully and takes notes but has no assignments, tests or responsibility. James reminds us that those who simply audit the faith are deceiving themselves. Sincere Christians prove their authenticity by applying what they hear. Memorizing Scripture is good but it demands action.

The Illustration is a mirror (James 1:23-25). There are 3 ministries of the Word of God as a mirror. Examination is the main purpose for owning a mirror – to see ourselves as we really are. Several mistakes people make as they look into the mirror:
-Merely glance at themselves. They do not carefully study themselves as they read God’s Word. They read the Bible religiously but are never changed by it, their conscience would be bothered if they did not read but are not bothered by the fact that they read carelessly.
-Forget what they see - if we would really look at ourselves from God’s word we would never forget what we saw. Isaiah 6:5 – Woe is me I am undone, Luke 5:8 – Peter said depart from me for I am a sinful man, Job 42:6 – I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.


-Fail to obey the Word – we think that hearing is the same as doing. We hold endless meetings and conferences and we think we have made progress. These are only sinful if they are a substitute for service. If we are to use God’s Mirror profitably we must gaze into it seriously and with proper intent. (James 1:25) This man shall be blessed in so doing.

*What does God’s word do for us in these verses? John 8:31-32 _____, John 15:3 _____, 1 John 1:9 _____.

Restoration is letting the mirror of God’s word do its work in us of perfecting our hearts and lives – Ephesians 3:19, 2 Peter 1:2-4.
Transformation is a process that takes our whole lives, and will be completed when we see Him – 2 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 1:28, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 1 John 2:5.

How can we know if we are an effectual doer? The word religion that James uses means outward practice. Pure religion means practicing God’s word and sharing it with others through speech, service and separation from the world (without God).
When there is no divorce between the truth and the tongue (James 1:26)
When there is no divorce between the truth and the needs of others (James 1:27a)
When there is no divorce between the truth and our Christian uniqueness in the world (James 1:27b)