On Receiving God's Word
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorizedIt is one thing to “hear” the word of God (Romans 10:17) — it’s something else to receive it. The Greek word that James uses for “receive” in James 1:21 is one that means to welcome as we would welcome a friend. In other words, we open our hearts to receive the Word as we would open our home to receive a friend.
In James 1:21-25, James lists three ways to receive God’s word:
1) We must receive the Word with repentance — “Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness” (James 1:21). The phrase, “overflow of wickedness” means that which remains, the things that are left, the hangovers of the past. We must remove the leftovers of our old ways, habits, and practices. The point James is making is we will never be able to welcome the Word until we remove the hangovers of our old life.
2) We must receive the Word with readiness — “Receive with meekness the implanted word” (James 1:21) — in other words, a compliant and ready spirit or one that is teachable or trainable. Samuel welcomed the Word when he said, “Speak Lord, for Your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:9-10). The people on Pentecost “gladly received the word and were baptized” (Acts 2:41). The Bereans were called “noble” because “they received the Word with all readiness” (Acts 17:11 KJV). Luke tells us that if we are to successfully welcome the Word, we must receive it with an attitude of readiness.
3) We must receive the Word with responsiveness — James speaks of a man “observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was” (James 1:24). This is just a casual glance that brings no response, no change. The other man looks, keeps looking and responds. This man is blessed in his doing. His is a careful gaze, a steadfast, continual, intentional look (James 1:25). He responds to the Word and makes application of it.
When we are willing to receive God’s word with repentance, readiness and responsiveness, we have welcomed the Word as we would welcome a friend.