Daily in the Word

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

James 1:21–25

We do what we believe.

God’s Word is a vital part of our lives—we can’t live without it! Yet simply reading God’s Word each day is not enough to help us grow and mature as Christians. Continuing our look at foundations we must lay for a healthy family, notice today’s foundational pillar: obedience to God’s Word.

James states the importance of biblical obedience in James 1:22–25: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

Imagine being told your outfit was on backward, even portraying shock and embarrassment at the mistake, but never turning your clothes around. So is simply reading the Bible, hearing of mistakes and short-comings in your life, and never changing your ways.

While your family needs to prioritize church attendance, more importantly than sitting in church each week, they need to see you obeying God’s Word. God wants us to be doers of His Word, obeying His commands, and following His advice. Hearing but not doing does not lead to growth.

If someone believes strongly in conservative values, they demonstrate them through political activism, candidate support, or voting. If someone believes strongly in a certain sporting team, they follow that belief with game attendance, faithful viewing of games, and even apparel purchase. People do what they believe.

When your children look at your life, what will they see that you believe? Will they see a parent who attends church and studies the Bible, but never acts upon God’s principles? Set the foundation of biblical obedience in your home by not only hearing God’s Word but acting upon that knowledge.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 132-134 | 1 Corinthians 11:17-34