“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (ESV)

If you’ve ever met my husband, Ashton, chances are you learned he was a Carolina Hurricanes hockey fan within the first 30 seconds of your conversation. He was probably wearing a hockey T-shirt or jersey, sporting a hat with the logo, or told you about their most recent win. He is what I would call a “Super Fan” because he doesn’t just say he likes the team; he loves the team. He knows their game schedule, the players’ names, who is on the injured list, and anything else he can possibly find out.  

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On the other hand, I am not a hockey fan. I have one t-shirt (because my husband gave it to me), I know a couple of the players’ names (because my husband told me about them), and I occasionally watch the games (because my husband is watching them). See a pattern? I don’t dislike hockey; I just don’t care enough to invest my time and energy into following the team. In fact, if I were to say that I liked hockey, anyone who knows me would raise an eyebrow and suggest I go to the doctor to get my brain checked out.  

My husband’s outward “Super Fan” appearance isn’t what makes him a true fan, though. It’s his passion, his love for hockey – even when the team is losing – that is so apparent to people around him. This is what James is getting at when he says we should be “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” If I only say I’m a Christian and wear the churchy T-shirts, but there’s no evidence to back it up, would anyone actually believe me? If I attend church on Sunday but live Monday through Saturday like Jesus doesn’t exist, why would anyone think the Bible is true?

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Paul says in Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Our faith shouldn’t just be a static blip on the timeline of our life or a box to check. There’s a “working out” of our faith that requires it to be integrated into our daily lives through all that we do.  

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What Paul and James are not saying is that we need works to be saved. The Bible is extremely clear in that regard (Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 10:9-10). A recent Bible study I did on Philippians by Hope Blanton and Christine Gordon phrased it this way: “We are saved for good works, not by good works. The order matters” (emphasis mine). We should live in a Christ-like manner because of what has been done for us on the cross.

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If you told your friends, coworkers, or people around you that you’re a Christian, what would their response be? Would it be, “Of course! I can see Christ in you.” Or would they respond, “Oh really? I had no idea.” If the answer is the latter, how could you live your life differently to reflect Jesus more? One place to start is by joining a life group if you’re not already in one. It’s such a wonderful gift to be surrounded by a community of other believers who can hold one another accountable and encourage and strengthen each other as “doers” and not just “hearers.”  

Lord, great is your mercy and faithfulness! Thank you, Lord, that we don’t have to do anything to earn your love and forgiveness, but because of it we can go out and spread your light to others. Help us to continue to be doers of the word, and not just hearers. Let the people we interact with today see Jesus reflected through us and be drawn to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen!