Attitudes and actions that garner God’s blessings

What is this series about? An examination of 21 attitudes and behaviors identified in the New Testament as “blessed” A look at Christian conduct and characteristics that will enrich our lives with lasting joy A look at the condition of those who lack these qualities

James 1:25 Outline The effectual doer The blessing of obedience The cursed life: the deluded and forgetful hearer

The effectual doer (Jms. 1:21-25) He puts aside filthiness, wickedness (vs. 21) Pure motives, untainted by evil He receives the Word implanted (21) He knows the Word is able to save his soul (Matt. 13:23) He recognizes the perfect law of liberty (25) God still has law today, just not the Law of Moses He examines God’s law and obeys it (25) Joyfully concur with the law of God (Rom. 7:22; Ps. 1:2) The effectual doer is one who produces the result that God desires. Hebrews 11 lists many effectual doers! “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17)

The blessings of effectual doing (Ps. 1:2-3) God rewards effectual doers with success (Ps 31:23) Uzziah: “as long as he sought the L ORD, God prospered him” (2 Chron. 26:5). Hezekiah: “Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered” (2 Chron. 31:21). The effectual doer gains access to heaven (Matt. 7:21) Salvation is for the obedient (Heb. 5:9) “he who does the will of God lives forever” (1 Jn. 2:17) “…an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does” (Jms. 1:25)

The cursed life: the deluded and forgetful hearer This refers to a backslidden believer He forgets what kind of person he was (Jms. 1:23-24) He examines God’s law, but pays no heed (vs. 25) He stumbles because he is disobedient (1 Pet. 2:8) “He who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (Jms. 4:17) Retribution for those who do not obey (2 Thess. 1:8-9) “They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed” (Titus 1:16)

Summary The effectual doer hears and obeys God’s Word. God blesses the work of the effectual doer, and rewards him with salvation in heaven. The deluded and forgetful hearer does not obey God, even though he knows what he ought to do, and he will suffer the consequences of disobedience. Which one are you? Which will you be starting now?

Believe in Jesus Christ (John 14:1; Acts 16:30-34) That He died for your sins and was resurrected (1 Cor. 15:3-4) Repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9) Commit yourself to holy conduct (Acts 26:30; Titus 2:11-12) Confess your faith (Matthew 10:32) Declare your belief that Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 8:37) Receive Baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12) Baptism puts you into Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27) Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16) Baptism saves you (1 Peter 3:21) Be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10) Trust His grace and obey His commands (Hebrews 5:9) Or face the retribution due to those who do not obey 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Romans 2:8; John 3:36

Pray without ceasing…Practice what Jesus preached…Prepare for our next assembly