ROMANS 2:13

“for it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified.”

Every parent has probably heard this from their child at some point when they ask them to do a chore. Yea, mom/dad, I hear you. I’ll get to it later. That is the not the response we want, is it? But have you ever thought about the fact that we do the same with God? We know what He wants us to do. We read the Word and may even hear Him clearly tell us to do something. But we are just like our kids. I hear You, Lord. I’ll pray about that.

Paul specifically identifies the “doers” as the one who will be justified in God’s eyes. There were a lot of “hearers” back in Paul’s day. The Gentiles talked about their gods and their idolatrous worship as if that was going to gain them anything. And the Jews talked about being the bearer of the law. They heard it and protected it. But all God wanted was obedience.

APPLICATION

James says something similar in James 1:22-25. “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 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: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 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.” (KJV) Doing or hearing, that’s the decision we all have to make.

In Matthew 7:21 our Lord says, “‘Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.’” Just a bit later in verse 24-27, Jesus gives the parable of the house built on sand or stone as an example of one who does what he is told to do (also in Luke 6:47ff). You know that story. Take a look again and see what I mean.

So, are you a hearer or a doer? Will you simply read God’s Word and talk about how great it sounds, or will you actually do what it says? Remember, if God tells you to do something, He will give the ability to do it. Isn’t that the coolest? So, listen intently and then act. You will please the Father.

Lord, I thank You for clear directions through Your Word. Help me follow and do all Your commands.

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