Aug
16
Written by:
Bob Flynn
8/16/2008 2:31 PM
"For merely listening to the law doesn't make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in His sight." (NLT)
I suspect that we, like Israel, become fooled into thinking that because we own a Bible, read it, and perhaps even study it, that we have somehow become something!
Romans 2:13
"for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified." (NASB)
"For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." (KJV)
"For merely listening to the law doesn't make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in His sight." (NLT)
"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous." (NET)
Here is the refute for those who are mere possessors of the law. This sentiment is reflected in James' words: "But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves" (James 1:22 NLT) Jesus reminded us of this when He said: "Not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter" (Matthew 7:21 NLT)
I suspect that we, like Israel, become fooled into thinking that because we own a Bible, read it, and perhaps even study it, that we have somehow become something! The reality is that we have merely turned our Bible into a seven-day deodorant pad. The secret then in Christ in us, "to will and to work for His good pleasure." It is the "doing" that reveals the attitude of our heart! Joyful obedience for having been saved from the eternal separation from God that we deserve.