Scripture Reference: James 1:21-27
James speaks of the Scriptures as “the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” The thought is that the word becomes a sacred deposit in the Christian’s life when he is born again. This is the word that is able to “save your souls.” The Bible is the instrument God uses in the new birth. He uses it in saving the soul not only from the penalty of sin, but from its power as well. He uses it in saving us not only from damnation in eternity, but from very real damage in this life. It is this present, continuing aspect of salvation in which James is speaking of.
It is not enough to receive the implanted word; we must obey it. There is no virtue in possessing the Bible or even in reading it as literature. There must be a deep desire to hear God speaking to us and an unquestioning willingness to do whatever He says. We must translate the Bible into action. The word must become real and alive in our lives. To profess great love for God’s word or even to pose as a student of the Bible is a form of self-deception unless our increasing knowledge of the word is producing increasing likeness to the Lord Jesus. If we continually learn what we ought to do, but do not do it, we become depressed, frustrated, and callous. By letting it become a part of us we also become more responsible to God. The ideal combination is to read the word and obey it implicitly.
“Anyone” who is a “hearer of the word” only but does not change his behavior “is like a man” who takes a glance in the mirror each morning, then completely “forgets what” he saw. He derives no benefit from looking into it. When the mirror says “Wash, Shave,” or “Brush,” we should at least do as we are told. Otherwise the mirror is of no practical benefit to us.
The man “who looks into the” word of God and who habitually puts it to practice is like the man who uses the mirror for change. To him the Bible is “the perfect law of liberty.” Its precepts are not burdensome. As he obeys, he finds true freedom from human traditions and carnal reasonings. The truth makes him free. He seeks to live it out in daily practice. His simple childlike obedience brings innumerable blessings to his soul. “This one will be blessed in what he does.”
James contrasts “useless” religion and “pure and undefiled religion.” Religion here refers to the outward forms of ritual and ceremony rather than the inward spirit. It means the external expression of belief in worship and service rather than the doctrines believed.
“Anyone” who “thinks he is religious,” but cannot control “his tongue, . . . this one’s religion is useless.” He might observe all kinds of religious ceremonies which make him appear very spiritual. But he is deceiving himself. God is not satisfied with rituals; He is interested in a life of practical godliness.
An unbridled “tongue” is only one example of futile “religion.” Any behavior inconsistent with the Christian faith is worthless. James emphatically states that such “religion is useless.”
What God is looking for is the practical type of godliness which takes a compassionate interest in others and keeps one’s own life holy. As examples of “pure and undefiled religion,” James praises the man who visits and cares for needy “orphans and widows,” and who keeps himself “unspotted from the world.”
We should put our own faith on trial with the following questions: Do I read the Bible with a humble desire to have God rebuke me, teach me, and change me? Am I anxious to have my tongue bridled? Do I justify my temper or do I want victory over it? How do I react when someone starts to tell an off-color joke? Does my faith manifest itself in deeds of kindness to those who cannot repay me?
These are all situations we face daily. The question is, do we take what we read in the word and use it in light of these situations? Something to honestly ponder.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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