What’s the Good Word

Follow the thread that James wove through this writing that is related to “the word”:

Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures.

My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil excess, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror; for he looks at himself, goes away, and right away forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts—this person will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
(James 1:16-27 Holman Christian Standard Bible® © )

The message of truth was implanted in us, and is saving us. It brings us information and instruction. It is a perfect law of liberty to us. The salvation it brings us is “sozo”: which can mean healing, preservation, salvation, wellbeing, and wholeness. That is the word James used.

We cannot attain all of the benefits of the word of life that has been shared with us if we do not let it influence both our being and our behavior. Look into it like a mirror, and change what it shows us needs changing.