How are we going to get to heaven? There is only one Man who knows the way to heaven; there is only one Man who can get us to heaven – Jesus Christ.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets to guide them into all truth – John 16:13. James, the brother of Jesus, being guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21), wrote to Christians throughout the Mediterranean world to encourage them to walk in the footsteps of Christ.
How do we get to heaven? It begins by hearing what the Holy Spirit says through His word and then doing what He says. We’ll get “there” if we “hear” His word. Let’s look at this paragraph.
RECEIVE THE WORD IMPLANTED – 1:21:
Before we can receive the word, we have to get rid of sinful desires in our hearts. If sin begins with “lust” (verse 15), then salvation begins with “desire” for God. We have to make the decision to leave sin behind – “Putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness.”
Next, notice the attitude with which we are to receive the Word – “humility”. Remember back at verse 19, James says we should be “swift to heart.” That implies an eagerness to learn and a willingness to accept what is taught. Humility means being “slow to wrath” when it comes to God’s word. James says that getting mad at God’s word does not achieve the righteousness of God.
Having said that, James says we are to receive the “word implanted”. This is James’ interpretation of the “new birth” from John 3:3-5. Finally, observe that it is the Word which is able to save our souls. Nobody, anywhere, at any time can be saved without the Word of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11-13).
PROVE YOURSELVES DOERS – 1:22:
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Prove yourselves “doers” of the Word and not “merely hearers”.
JAMES’ ILLUSTRATION – 1:23-25:
To illustrate the point, James uses a mirror. Notice verse 25 – One who looks intently at the “perfect law of liberty” – there’s our first need. We need to look intently into the mirror that is God’s Word. This word is used to describe John’s approach and interest in the tomb of Jesus in John 20:5.
Secondly, our need is to “abide by it”. Live by it. Put it into practice. Be an active listener of the Word of the Spirit. You have to obey Him if you want to go to heaven. Put His words into practice in your life.
In the end, James writes that you will be “blessed in what” you do. You will receive divine favor in your life if you look intently into the perfect law of liberty and then abide by it.
Study intently the Word of God and abide by it to be blessed.
–Paul Holland
