"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." - James 1:25
Those of us who were born as citizens of the USA can often take for granted the freedom we enjoy. Many have given the ultimate sacrifice to enable us to enjoy this freedom. Much of the world does not know the freedom we cherish though they desire it for themselves. I have met pastors in the underworld church of China, and the jungles of Colombia, who put their very lives on the line just to be able to lead and pastor a small group of people gathered in a home. Whether we lead a small group in Middle America or in the jungles of Colombia, we all seek to lead people to experience freedom from spiritual bondage. The Bible speaks of a freedom that can come to all human beings. James gives us some spiritual guidance for leading people to know and experience this kind of freedom. Lead your group in this brief Bible Study and model these life principles with your life.
Life Principles
1. Receive God's Word into your life…
"… accept the Word of God planted in you." James 1:21
- Carefully. "Be quick to listen, slow to speak …" (v. 19a)
- Calmly. "… and slow to become angry" (v. 19b)
- Cleanly. "Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent …" (v. 21a)
- Obediently. "… humbly accept the Word planted in you." (v. 21b)
2. Reflect on God's Word.
" Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror … " James 1:23
- Read it. " … look intently into the prefect law" (v. 25a)
- Review it. " … and continues to do this" (v. 25b)
- Remember it. "not forgetting what he has heard" (v. 25c)
We must pay more careful attention, therefore to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Heb. 2:1
3. Respond to God's Word
" Obey God's message! Don't fool yourself by just listening to it…But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that set you free. God bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget." James 1: 22 &25 (CEV)
- A controlled mouth. "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." James 1:26
- A caring heart. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…" James 1:27a
- A clean mind. "and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27b
