"Do" the Word - Part 1

“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”   James 1:22
 
Mountain Dew claims you can quench your thirst if you “Do the Dew.”  But if you want to DO something that expresses your faith, as James explains, DO the Word.
 
I find it interesting that those who listen to God’s Word and then omit the step of application actually deceive themselves. Clearly the point of listening to the Word is to put it into daily practice. The Lord doesn’t intend for us to merely move from a place of ignorance into knowledge. He intends for us to move from ignorance, through knowledge, into transformed living. 
 
How can we apply this in the domain of parenting?
 

1. Read the Word together – Receiving God’s Word is required if we ever hope to do what it says. Think, “Ingestion before digestion.” You don’t need a seminary degree to open the Word in your home. Select a translation of scripture that everyone can understand. Take turns reading verses with your kids.  Several verses after dinner provides the perfect “dietary supplement!”
2. Ask the obvious questions – “What does this tell us about God?” This question moves beyond reading the Word of God, and begins to discover the God of the Word. In scripture we see God’s attributes and characteristics. Then ask, “How are we supposed to live?” If we are to be transformed by God’s Word, then we will increasingly think, speak and act like Him. Consider practical actions that express everything you learn about God. 
3. DO IT! – In the end, reading about Jesus reaching out to the sick or feeding the hungry is not the point. Yes, Jesus was compassionate. Together, as a family, find a way to express compassion to someone in need. Yes, Jesus extended a hand of acceptance to those who were rejected by society. Go together across the street and meet that homeless woman. Look her in the eye and ask her if she is hungry.   Then step into the store to buy her a sandwich. 

 
My buddy, Jeff, just got a letter from a believer who is about to get out of prison.   This believer needs helps getting started again. Jeff has invited his family to pray through ways to help. Risky? Yes. Like Jesus? Yes, yes, yes. Do the Word.
 
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