Today’s devotion comes from James 1:21-27.
“21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will beblessed in what he does.
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:21-27.
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The Law of Liberty is the law of grace that God has given us all that we need for those good works.
God has made us uniquely gifted with abilities to do certain good works. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
God has given us the will to do those good works. And, God works within us to accomplish those good works. “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13. God has even made us “zealous for good deeds“. Titus 2:14.
We could forget what God has done for us or make excuses such as: “If I do this good deed for him, he will either think I am patronizing him or expect me to continue to do it.” Or, we could simply think: “I will do it later.” We could become a forgetful hearer.
“But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” Verse 25. “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” John 13:17.
Have you ever seen a dog or horse run at full speed? They are exerting every ounce of energy and running as fast as they can, but they seem to smile with joy. They were born to run.
We too were born to run. We are filled with great joy when we do those good works God created us to do.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 