James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.

I quote verse 22 very often, but this is an expansion of the truth in that verse. Failing to follow the Word of God that we hear is indeed deceiving ourselves, but the converse is true as well, and that is what this verse expresses. In the first place, this isn’t talking about a casual look at the Bible, it’s talking about digging into it, studying and meditating on it. Modern conveniences have raised up a generation that wants everything to be instant, even pre-digested. I run into quite a few people who like devotional periodicals but they don’t like to simply read the Bible. That’s hardly “looking intently into the perfect Law!” The problem is, failing to appreciate the Bible for what it is cuts us off from much of the inexpressible riches God has prepared for us. James says very clearly here that anyone who indeed puts down roots in the Word, absorbing its spiritual nutrition, will be be blessed by what they do. You cannot really look into the Word and fail to act, and such action brings blessings that come no other way. The problem is, with our modern short attention spans, we tend to do exactly what this passage says not to do: we look, and then promptly forget. That’s what the devil wants us to do, not God!

I have fallen into this trap myself, with the added twist that I have retained knowledge of the Bible without really “looking into it intent­ly.” As a result, too often I have taken it lightly, with the contempt that comes with familiarity. It does little good to quote Scripture if you aren’t practicing it! Thankfully, God has been more than gracious, and He has grown me into a genuine love of His Word, to the point that I have considerable empathy with the author of Psalm 119. However, as a pastor I want all of the believers to have such a love, not simply for the Bible but for the One who caused it to be written by His Spirit. It is a common occurrence for me to say something that seems completely obvious to me, but which impacts my hearers as something “really deep.” I need to take that into account and express God’s truth in love, which includes putting it in terms that can be understood and received. I don’t want my hearers to forget, and lose the blessing!

Father, thank You for Your Word and for the privilege of sharing it. Help me indeed look into it intently to put it into practice myself, so that I will not teach others, only to be disqualified myself. (1 Corinthians 9:27) Help me be a pure, undistorted transmission channel, so that Your Word may flow freely through me to accomplish every­thing for which You send it, for Your glory. (Isaiah 55:11) Thank You. Praise God!