The Bible places significant emphasis on the importance of not only hearing God's Word but also putting it into practice. This principle is encapsulated in the exhortation to be "doers of the word." The concept calls for an active, obedient, and transformative response to the teachings of Scripture. It is a call to live out one's faith authentically and consistently, reflecting the character and commands of God in every aspect of life.
One of the most explicit passages on this topic is found in the Epistle of James. James 1:22-25 (ESV) states, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
This passage highlights several key aspects of what it means to be a doer of the word. Firstly, it contrasts mere hearing with active doing. Hearing alone, without corresponding action, results in self-deception. It is akin to looking in a mirror and immediately forgetting one's appearance. The mirror here symbolizes the Word of God, which reveals our true spiritual condition and God's standards for our lives. To look into this mirror and then ignore its implications is to fail to let the Word transform us.
In contrast, the one who acts on the Word is described as looking into the "perfect law, the law of liberty." This phrase underscores the liberating nature of God's commandments. Far from being restrictive, obedience to God's Word brings true freedom and blessing. The act of doing is not burdensome but is a pathway to experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us.
The teachings of Jesus also reinforce this principle. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus concludes His discourse with a powerful illustration. He says in Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV), "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting His words into practice. The wise man, who builds his house on the rock, represents the person who hears and obeys Jesus' teachings. This foundation provides stability and resilience in the face of life's challenges. In contrast, the foolish man, who builds on sand, hears but does not act. His foundation is weak and ultimately collapses under pressure. This parable vividly illustrates the consequences of ignoring the call to be doers of the word.
The Apostle Paul also speaks to this theme in his letters. In Romans 2:13 (ESV), he writes, "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified." Paul underscores that righteousness before God is not based on mere knowledge or hearing of the law but on living in accordance with it. This aligns with his broader teaching on faith and works, particularly in his letter to the Ephesians, where he states, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10, ESV). Here, Paul affirms that good works are a natural and necessary outflow of our faith and new identity in Christ.
The call to be doers of the word is also evident in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV), Moses instructs the Israelites, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
This passage, known as the Shema, emphasizes the importance of internalizing God's commandments and integrating them into daily life. It is not enough to simply hear or recite these words; they must shape one's actions, relationships, and environment. The Shema calls for a holistic approach to faith, where every aspect of life is permeated by obedience to God's Word.
Christian literature also provides valuable insights into the importance of being doers of the word. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his seminal work "The Cost of Discipleship," writes about the concept of "cheap grace" versus "costly grace." Cheap grace, according to Bonhoeffer, is the grace we bestow on ourselves, the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession. Costly grace, on the other hand, is the grace that calls us to follow Jesus, which is costly because it compels us to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow Him. Bonhoeffer's distinction underscores that true discipleship involves active obedience and costly commitment, not mere intellectual assent.
John Stott, in his book "Basic Christianity," similarly emphasizes the necessity of living out one's faith. He argues that authentic Christianity involves a radical transformation of one's life, characterized by obedience to Christ's commands. Stott writes, "We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior." This confrontation and transformation are the essence of being doers of the word.
Living as doers of the word requires a heart posture of humility and dependence on God. It involves daily surrender to the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live in obedience to God's commands. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as our Helper, who would guide us into all truth (John 16:13) and enable us to live out the teachings of Christ. Thus, being doers of the word is not about striving in our own strength but about yielding to the Spirit's work in us.
Moreover, being doers of the word has a communal aspect. The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to encourage and spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation but in the context of community, where we support and hold each other accountable in our walk of faith. This mutual encouragement helps us to remain steadfast and faithful in living out God's Word.
In practical terms, being doers of the word means allowing Scripture to shape our attitudes, decisions, and actions. It means loving our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), forgiving those who wrong us (Matthew 6:14-15), caring for the marginalized and oppressed (James 1:27), and pursuing justice and righteousness (Micah 6:8). It means embodying the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—in our interactions with others.
Ultimately, being doers of the word is about living a life that reflects the character of Christ. It is about aligning our lives with God's will and purposes, allowing His Word to transform us from the inside out. As we do so, we become a testimony to the world of God's grace and truth, drawing others to the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ.
