“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.....But the man who looks intently into the perfect law.... he will be blessed in what he does”  - James 1:22-25

If you don't live it, you don't believe it. (Paul Harvey)

When I was training to be a pastor, I learnt all about the craft of sermon preparation and presentation. Strong foundations were built as I studied under some great preachers. But one thing I wasn’t taught (or maybe I was and didn’t think it would apply to my preaching!) was that 15 minutes after hearing a sermon, most has been forgotten by the majority of people!

Is that how we live our life of discipleship? In the verses today, James uses the image of people looking into a mirror, fixing their hair, squeezing the odd pimple, freshening makeup – we are exposed to the truth about our appearance and we do something about it! What is our response when we read God’s word and are confronted with the mandate to do something about the needs of the poor? Do we respond to the truth we see or quickly turn away, trying to forget the truth that has been revealed? The Greek word used in verse 25 for “looks intently” means “penetrating absorption”, the same word used in John 20:5 as John stooped and peered into the tomb of Jesus, allowing the truth of what he saw to penetrate his very being. 

How should we act as disciples in relation to the needs of our world? May we have the same attitude as Mark Twain: "Most people are bothered by those passages in Scripture which they cannot understand. The Scripture which troubles me most is the Scripture I do understand."

Reflection: As I read and reflect on your Word this week Lord, may I be confronted by the passages I understand and be open to act upon the challenges I receive.