The Daily Nugget- Abide In The Word
HI All
When we give our lives to The Lord a transformation begins within us, one where our thoughts,desires and actions become more like those of Jesus. This is something that can only be achieved with the help of the Holy Spirit and is a gradual process which involves leaving our old self behind and becoming a new creation as scripture tells us “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come”(2 Corinthians 5:17).As we read in our text today James encourages us to be “doers of the word”,this can be brought about when we have a deep commitment to study the word everyday, meditating on what it means and gradually putting it into practice in our daily lives. The ultimate aim of our “transformation” is to restore us from sin so that we may reflect the love and character,of God and a willingness to serve Him and others.“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ”(Gal 6:1-2).
Be Blessed and Encouraged
Abide In The Word
"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 shall be blessed in what he does",
(James 1:25).
The phrase "and abides by it" in James 1:25 demands our close attention. "Abide" translates to a Greek word that means "to stay beside," "remain," or "continue." The idea is that a doer of the Word continually and habitually gazes into God's perfect law. In other words, he is a persevering learner.
When we commit to studying the word,we will be an effective doer, one who is in union with God's will and seeks to obey it above all else. As we do,God will bless us and although we may not be successful in a “worldly “way, we will be living in a way pleasing to God and He will honour what we do,
This verse is a call to carefully examine ourselves in light of God's standards,which means we must be willing to have our spiritual flaws and blemishes exposed. If we desire to be like Christ we need to come before Him just as we are and allow Him to mould us into His likeness whatever it may cost us.Can you imagine what the church would be like if every believer did that? Our lives would be totally transformed and we truly would become a new creation.
Only the Holy Spirit can enable us to be a doer of the word. So yield to His leading through prayer and confession as we continue to study and apply God's word.Whenever we study Scripture, we should ask the Spirit to illuminate our minds and hearts, and to use the word to transform us more and more into the image of Christ.