GOD’S WORD FOR JULY 21

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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IF YOU BELIEVE IT, LIVE IT!

James 1:22

“but be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

D.L.MOODY

A man may preach with the eloquence of an angel, but if he doesn’t live what he preaches, and doesn’t act upon his faith in his home and his business, his testimony goes for naught, and the people say it is all hypocrisy; it is all a sham.  Words are very empty if there is nothing back of them.  Your testimony is poor and worthless if there is not a record back of it consistent with what you profess.

What we need is to pray to God to lift us up out of this low, cold, formal state we have been living in, that we may live in the presence of God continually, and that the Lord may lift upon us the light of His countenance, and that we may shine in this world, reflecting His grace and glory.

ERWIN LUTZER

Greek scholars tell us that the word “hearers”, which James uses in today’s verse, is a word used for “auditors.”  An auditor is someone who comes to class but doesn’t do any of the assignments, and if he audits all of his classes, he won’t graduate.   He’s there just in case there is something interesting for him to learn.  Auditors confuse “knowing and believing” and are oftentimes deceived because they think to themselves.  “I’ve heard the lecture and I’ve attended the class,”  and foolishly think they have met all the requirements for success.

Jesus said many would claim to know Him, even citing miracles to prove it, but His response was that He never knew them (See Matthew 7:21-23).  Keep in mind, these people actually thought the door of heaven would swing open for them, but instead they discovered it was closed because, though they heard the Word, they didn’t really believe it; they had no saving faith.  They were only auditors.

Let us be hearers and, for the glory of God, also be doers of the Word.

PRAYER

Father, help me to love Your word and be changed by it.  May I listen and live what I profess.

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Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

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Titus 1:16

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”

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Luke 6:46

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

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Matthew 15:8

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

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2 Timothy 3:5

“Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

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James 1:22

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

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    1 John 2:4

    “Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”

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