Lesson 4971

 (Lesson 4971) (09-10-25) James 1:19-27 

   “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 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: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 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. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” 

 

   Today’s lesson calls out those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, to live out our faith with discipline and sincerity. It begins by urging us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, since human anger cannnot produce God’s righteousness. Instead, we are to lay aside all filthiness and receive God’s Word with meekness, for through His word alone can our souls be saved. The quote stresses that we should be doers of the Word and not hearers only, warning that those who only listen, that being those who go to “church” every time the doors swing but do nothing the rest of their time, are only deceiving themselves. True faith requires action, not empty religion. The quote concludes the affirmation of our faith is evidenced by loving one another and caring for those in need. Applied to today’s churches, this lesson warns against shallow profession without obedience. It calls for active love for humainity, reminding believers that God wants real transformation, not empty rituals or words. ~