THE FORGETFUL HEARER

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25, NKJV)

We are living in spiritually dangerous times–times that actually encourage us to forget God's Word. Religious distraction appears to be at an all time high, with an unimaginable variety of religious activities bearing little or no resemblance to the walk of faith. From entertaining singers and humorists, to athletes and economical experts, the people of God are being offered things that are more worldly than heavenly. It all makes it easy to forget the Word of God. James, however, reminds us of the jeopardy of allowing this to happen. He refers to the "forgetful hearer."

What is "the perfect law of liberty" to which James refers? He is not talking about the written or spoken Word, as ordinarily perceived. Rather, he refers to the Law AFTER it has been written upon the heart and placed into the mind (Jer 33:33; Heb 8:10; 10:16). This is accomplished by God, and speaks of our transformation, or regeneration. When God's law is written upon the heart, it becomes a law of liberty, freeing us from the guilt of, and enslavement to, the law of sin in our members (Rom 7:23,25; 8:2). It also frees us from the condemnation of the Law (Rom 8:1). We are thus freed to serve God in "newness of spirit" (Rom 7:6).

The "hearer of the Word" is not merely the one who has been subjected to the sound of the Word. This is the one who has "heard" Jesus, and been "taught by Him," as referred to in Ephesians 4:20-21. These are freed to draw upon heavenly resources, living in fellowship with Christ, into which we have been called (1 Cor 1:9).

The "forgetful hearer" is the person who stifles the voice of the Lord by living in the flesh, and refusing to walk in the Spirit, or in an acute consciousness of things unseen (Rom 8:8; Gal 5:25; 2 Cor 4:18). The fact that James warns us about this condition confirms we will be tempted in this area. Satan will entice us to live without being sensitive to Him who is speaking from heaven (Heb 12:25). Giving heed to Satan, removes us from spiritual freedom, and makes us slaves to sin once again–a dreadful thought!

The blessing of God is promised to all who are NOT "forgetful hearers" – those who follow the Lamb wherever He leads. For those choosing to live with a keen sense of the Lord's presence and instruction, the blessing of God will be conferred on what they do. The blessing will be personal, gratifying, and effective. Make it your business to never be a "forgetful hearer."

PRAYER POINT: Father,

-- MONDAY: WHEN THE WHOLE IS SEEN, THE ASPECTS ARE PERCEPTIBLE --