Mere Listeners

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25 NIV)

There are an estimated 350,000 churches in the United States and 118 million people who attend them (see this link).  This answer begs a question: If the 12 disciples of Jesus could have such a huge impact on the 1st Century world, why is it 118 million can have so little?  How can a mega church of 15,000 attendees not transform a city, or a church of 100 a small town?  

I think the answer lies with this passage.  The approach of most churches today is to teach what the Bible says.  But there is not much emphasis on teaching people how to put it into practice in daily life.  When Jesus was about to leave this world, He told the disciples to make more disciples, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)  Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you; not teach them everything I have commanded you.

This is the problem.  For a long time, churches have focused on teaching what Jesus (and the Bible) commands, but not how to obey it in everyday life.  Sermons, Sunday School, VBS, small group Bible studies all have focused more on what is commanded than how to obey the commands. And what this has helped create are millions of mere listeners, listening to sermons and lessons, but never putting them into practice.  So while millions may be in churches on Sunday, there is no real world impact because every week they forget what they are supposed to look like as soon as they exit the building.  

Today, recognize that merely knowing what the Bible says is not enough. Your life will not be transformed, nor those around you, until you put into practice what it says.  

© Jim Musser 2013