A Living Bible: James 1:19-27

The book of James 1:19-27 focuses on people of faith demonstrating a biblical faith. Let’s read it.

Introduction

• A professor was asked his opinion of the “Living Bible”. His reply was a living bible is the best kind.
• God’s people are to live the scripture.
• Being “Living Bibles” is God’s plan. Jesus is the original “LIVING BIBLE”. And He wants us to be living bibles. Romans 8:28-29
  • People of faith who follow the practical instructions from James 1 will become “living Bibles”. Let’s discover how.

I. To be a Living Bible I First must Listen to God’s Word. James 1:19-21.

• We need to “Be quick to hear”. Be ready to hear God.
  • Two things keep me from listening properly.
    • My mouth! Instead of being “Slow to speak”, I want to speak up and grumble and complain too much.
    • My temper! Instead of being “Slow to anger”, I get mad too quickly and that is usually because I am not getting my way.
• Listening to God enables a person to react to life in a way that is consistent with God’s word.
  • When I listen then I can get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent in my life. That is REPENT! When I listen then I can have faith to humbly accept the implanted word which saves from sin, selfishness, and Satan. That is to accept Jesus by faith into your heart.
  • If I will spend more time listening to the Bible I will know what I need to do to let the Word implanted in me help me to be a “LIVING BIBLE”.

II. To be a Living Bible I Second need to look into God’s Word. Verses 22-25.

• These verses contrast two kinds of observers. One is casual the other is careful.
  • A casual observer are observers who gives a glance at God’s word but make no adjustments.
    • Broken people use the Bible in a casual manner.
    • Yes, they may read the Bible and listen to sermons, even go to Bible studies, but they do not adjust their lives to do what the LORD reveals.
• Now notice the careful investigator in verse 25. This person of faith “looks”, stoops down and intensely studies the Word, and most importantly adjusts attitudes, aspirations, and actions accordingly.
  • It is the Careful investigator who seriously looks into the mirror of truth of God who becomes a “LIVING BIBLE”.
  • This is the person who confirms the word in a broken world.
  • People of faith renew their minds by allowing the Word to work in daily living of life to be like Jesus.
  • They confirm and renew their minds by growing more like Christ.
  • Their lives are molded by God’s Word instead of by the World’s way or the Devil’s lie.
• Listen to God’s word and it will be implanted in you. Look carefully, intently into the Word and the Word will grow in you and you will grow more like Christ who is the living Bible.

III. To be a living Bible I must Thirdly, Live by God’s Word. Verses 26-27.

Here are two tests to see if I am a “Living Bible”.

• The first test is the test of personal purity.
  • Personal purity has two characteristics.
    • First, calls for pure language. Broken people can seem to be right with but have no control over their tongue and are not convinced in the least that this is anything, but the normal way people communicate.
    • Second, it calls for a pure life. It is a life that is unstained by the world. You can walk through this life with God and be unstained.
• The second test is the test of social concern.
  • Widows and orphans are helpless. “Living Bibles” help the helpless.
  • The true test of social concern is not how much you talk about it but how much you do it.
  • People of faith are people of action meeting the needs that really help. Spiritual needs, mental needs, emotional needs, and physical needs.

Conclusion

• A broken person can become a “Living Bible”! How? By listening to, looking into, and living by God’s Word.
• We need more living Bibles in our world. “Living Bibles” know God and know Him better each day; they find Freedom in God’s grace alone; they discover God’s purpose in God’s perfect will; and they make a difference in this world by God’s power.
• Will you submit yourself to the control of God so that He can make you a “Living Bible”. Remember a Living Bible is the best kind.

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Here is an old song that captures this idea:

Out of James one twenty-two Comes a call for believers true,

Who will live for Christ the risen Lord:

Listen to this trumpet call, “Be ye doers of the Word!”

We should strive for Christ to live; Time, and talents we would give;

We would follow Jesus all the way: Tithes and offerings we would bring;

We would work and pray and sing For the Master every day.

Kind to others we would be, Jesus’ likeness they would see.

Sing with us our joyous song “Be ye doers of the Word!”

 

Words from song by Blanche Linthicum and B. B. McKinney.