Be Doers of the Word rather than Hearers Only!!

 How Can We Become Doers of The Word?

By: Anthony Joseph Hopkins

        Praise The Lord Saints!!  Praise The Lord!!  How are you doing today?  Fine, I hope.  I want to ask everyone a very important question.  The question is: How can we become doers of the word?

 The answer to this question is simple.  We have to have both a behavioral change as well as a spiritual change within ourselves.  I know for me personally, I have changed a whole lot behaviorally and spiritually right now.  For example, I do not use any vulgarity anymore.  An example of this is in Proverbs 15:1 says: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up strife.  This is my model Bible verse because it enables me to actually think before I act on all things.

        Next, I want to ask how we can become doers of the word.  First, we need to establish a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I have to accept Jesus Christ as my Personal Savior.  How can we all do this; is by confessing our sins to Jesus Christ.  I know that I am only a Work in Progress. 

What is a Work in Progress?  A work in progress is an unfinished project that is still being added to or developed. "The book itself is still a work in progress" (in accounting) the total value of the materials and labor for unfinished projects. "The board had estimated the value of its work in progress". What does it mean to be a work in progress?

Work in Progress. Being a work in progress is a wonderful thing. It means you are never “finished” which means that you always have the chance to improve yourself and become something and someone better than who you are already.

        Further, I want to inform all of you that my life has changed for the better because it enables me to imitate Jesus Christ.  I also have to read His Word and share the Gospel of Peace with everyone.  I also help others as well.  I have always helped others by sharing with them the things that Jesus Christ has done for me.

 I also give things away that I do not need.  I humble myself each day of the week by being honest as a person.  I demonstrate how to become a doer of the word by my actions.  I feel at this time that listening to worship music and church sermons have enabled me to be a doer of the word.  I know that it is a whole lot more to it than that in order to become a doer of the word. 

       

Moreover, a doer of the word is a person who lives according to the Word of God.  I have come so far in my life by improving my relationships with other people.  I know that my life has changed because I wanted to make some positive changes in my life. God likes it when we can keep a very good attitude about life, our relationship with Jesus Christ, and connecting with others in a positive manner. 

 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 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 observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
-James 1:21-25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Prepare your heart and be open.

It’s so easy to get into the daily Bible grind and never, once, truly pounce on what we’re learning or reading: get up, pour a cappuccino (or three), personal devotional of  fifteen minutes, write down some thoughts, put Bible on shelf, carry on with the morning . . . is this really what we limit ourselves and God to? Are we missing out on multiple opportunities because we haven’t prepared our hearts to be open and receptive? Shy away from a daily spiritual grind, seek God for opportunities to become a doer and invest in the lives of those around you.

2. Be willing and available.

Part of extending your hands in compassion and love is actually having a willing heart. Unfortunately, having a heart willing for love and sharing the Gospel isn’t just an “on/off” switch. It has to be transformed and cultivated by the same Gospel. If you are serious about becoming a doer and an action man/woman, pray for a willing heart.

We all know that person, or perhaps we are that person, who has great intentions of ministering to others, but is far too busy with a complex schedule to be available.  There could be any number of reasons for a lack of availability, but I think we’re all thankful that Jesus didn’t turn away the paralyzed or the ill because of a conflicting schedule or a lack of availability.

 

Such an attitude might have caused trauma to His ministry—so if you’re serious about Christ and your serious about acting upon your faith—make yourself available. Reach out and mean it—don’t just say it. If you offer to meet a struggling peer for coffee to talk, do it. If you see someone in need, address the problem or find the right person to address the problem (i.e. pastor, carpenter, doctor).

3. Prepare to be uncomfortable.

Just know that being a doer can be difficult, confusing, unpleasant, and uncomfortable. It can mean getting messy, seeing the side of people that is unpleasant, experiencing sadness, seeing the dirt  and the sins of humanity, and become all too aware of our personal shortcomings. I’ll never forget the first time I went to Haiti on a missions trip, I was never more aware of my ever growing list of shortcomings. Often, while doing Kingdom work our capacity of comfort, faith, and humility are tested—it’s like a game of Survivor with an eternal focus. We have to become prepared to be uncomfortable in some shape or form, but not allow it to deter us from carrying on in faith. However, there are great joys and luminous revelations while being a doer, but we must be prepared to hold out for those moments while in the midst of being uncomfortable.

 

 

4. Don’t wait.

Being doers can mean traveling across the globe to extend compassion and the love of Jesus or it can mean traveling to your backyard to the neighbor who is battling cancer. It’s not about the distance, it’s about the Message. Location isn’t relative, the issue at hand is that we are demonstrating compassion and spreading the Gospel. We’re called to share Christ’s love and we’re called to glorify Him (Matthew 28:19). We’re called to care. We’re called to protect, defend, and care for the defenseless, the poor, and the abandoned. It doesn’t matter where.

Demonstrating love and compassion can be done right now—the opportunities are limitless. We live in a world of darkness, just take a look around and be stunned by the abundant opportunities that await you.

Being a doer starts in the home. It starts in the work place. It starts in the Church. It starts with relationships. It starts with the grumpy neighbor, disgruntled cashier, or the unpleasant individual who just stole my parking spot (while I had my blinker on, I might add!). It starts here. Compassion starts now. If we think that we have to travel overseas to extend compassion or love, I’m afraid that we’re missing out multiple opportunities that are staring us right smack in the face.

 

People are people. We all need the same thing, we all need Jesus desperately. You can make a difference here, and you can make a difference there. It’s not really relative to where you are geographically, God’s love and compassion needs to be spread just as much in Baltimore City as it does in India. His love needs to be spread in a nursing home just as much as it does in an orphanage. Don’t wait for an opportunity, just because you don’t think it’s the opportunity you would choose. Don’t become discouraged when you feel like your impact isn’t as great as you would hope—it’s not about us. It’s about Him. Don’t waste an opportunity to become a doer out of pride—take a leap of faith.

5. Listen and love.

Be a hearer and a doer. It’s far easier said than done, but it’s a goal worth aiming for. Many of the people I know have come to Christ from visually seeing the works of Christians in action. We can talk all day long using Christianese and spiritual terms, but until there is evidence in our lives that we mean what we say, we might find we have trouble connecting with others in an effective manner. Become amazed at how God can work in your life when you give Him a heart ready for action.