Doers of the Word

God is doing something with this generation. Of course He does something with every generation, but I am confident that He is doing something special with us. That does not make our generation more “special” than previous generations, because the very nature of what God is doing is teaching us to deny ourselves. He is teaching us to deny ourselves, so that we might properly glorify Him. He is teaching us to deny ourselves so that our lives will act as a giant telescope magnifying a magnificent God to the nations. Many influential church leaders bear witness to what God is doing, that He has instilled zeal in today’s young people that most preceding generations cannot boast of. Praise God! May He continue to fan and fuel that fire! Many of us would rather listen to a sermon on podcast than G105 in our vehicles. Many of us would rather spend time in Bible study with our brothers and sisters than picking up random men or women at the bar. Many of us wake up early to read Scripture, and pray as we lay down our weary heads at night. Many of us would rather talk theology than sports. Praise God! We must be careful though, when we have so many avenues by which to hear the Word that we do that Word which we hear. The Apostle James writes:

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.-James 1:22-25

Francis Chan cautions us to carefully consider each sermon we listen to, each word we read, and their implications; so that, we do not become accustomed to dismissing that which we learn. When you fail to act upon the convictions you face time and time again, dismissing conviction becomes habitual. You become a habitual hearer of the Word. A hearer of the Word is like a man who looks in a mirror, sees himself as filthy, and leaves without washing His face. What good did it do for that man to look in the mirror? Bible study is great, theological conversations are wonderful, sermon podcasts are amazingly convenient; but the Apostle continues:

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.-James 1:26-27

True Christianity happens when we put into practice that which we have read and heard. Paul writes to the Corinthians that they should be imitators of him as he is an imitator of Christ. He also writes in 1 Corinthians that, “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” When we “hang out” it must be under the umbrella of glorifying God. We must minister to each other’s needs, as well as the needs of the community and world around us. When we are doers of the Word, then we will face persecution. We must face persecution, for “no slave is greater than his master.” If Jesus was persecuted, then we will be persecuted. Christians in America do not receive a pass on persecution. If God continues to impress change on this generation, then we will find it impossible to serve two masters. For years Americans have toyed dangerously with the idea that a person can say a short prayer that marks salvation and guarantees eternal life—and put off making Jesus their Lord until they are ready. I think our generation is finding that that concept of Christianity is false, and that it is impossible for Jesus to be one’s Savior if He is not also Lord. I praise God that, in the midst of a people who are by and large rejecting Him, He has raised up a generation who desires to hear His Word; but I pray that that generation (myself included) will be doers of that Word.


If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you-John 15:18-20

-Gary