James 1:25—Abiding and blessed

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.  James 1:25

The psalmist David wrote long before James’ time, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits” (Psalm 103:1-2). He admonished his soul (about which James wrote, as well) to bless the Lord. He did so by blessing the name of the Lord and by forgetting none of the Lord’s benefits.

James, in verse 25, reveals how to keep this circle of blessing unbroken. The circle begins with blessing the Lord Himself as David wrote and moves into forgetting none of His wonderful benefits. James arrives on the scene centuries later and discloses how you can put the benefits of God into active remembrance—you look intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty.

[The] one who looks intently at the perfect law…

This is a description of you. By prioritizing the Word of God, you are looking intently at the perfect law. Whenever you read the Bible or a Scripture-directed devotional or book, you are prioritizing the Word of God. Whenever you praise God with songs from the Scripture, you are prioritizing the Word of God. Whenever you think about a verse from the Bible and repeat it to yourself or in prayer, you are prioritizing the Word of God. As you continue in these behaviors, making them a part of your life—in addition to listening to solid Bible messages at church, other meetings, or through the means of media—not only will the Word build within you and give you more strength and clarity, but you will find that your time in the Bible is a joy and a fulfilling adventure as well. This is how you look intently at the perfect law, and this is how you forget none of His benefits.

…the law of liberty…

When Bible truth comes on the scene, it brings liberty. Oh, the Word will correct behavior and attitude, make no mistake, but Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (see John 8:31-32). The law of liberty frees you from bondage to sin. The so-called freedom that pervades our society encourages bondage to sin. The law of liberty will free you from the fear of man. The supposed liberty of our generation makes you a slave to the opinions of others. (Ever hear of political correctness?) There is a huge difference.

…and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer…

The psalmist wrote, “Forget none of His benefits.” You accomplish this by abiding by the Word of God. The Greek word for “abide” is paramenō and means “to remain beside, continue always near” (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G3887&t=KJV ). You keep His Word nearby; you continue with it close at hand. “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart” (see Romans 10:8). Another definition of paramenō is “to survive, remain alive”. If you abide by the Word, you survive by it; you remain alive due to it working within you. Jesus told the devil trying to tempt Him, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (see Matthew 4:4), signaling the true path to finding sustenance in life—God’s Word.

The only way to avoid forgetfulness is to abide in this close relationship with the Word of God. This produces the power within you to become an effectual doer.

…this man will be blessed in what he does.

David revealed the beginning of the circle of blessing: “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” and pointed further down the curve of its arc: forget none of His benefits (see Psalm 103:1-2). James picked up the thread, demonstrating how to continue on the circuit of blessing—abide by the Word. Don’t be forgetful with it. Let it develop you into an effective doer.

And as the circle winds back up to its start—Bless the Lord—James wrote that this man [you] will be blessed in what he does.

It is a good thing to bless the Lord. You do so by not forgetting any of His benefits. You can avoid forgetfulness by abiding in the magnificent Word of God—the law of liberty. And as you allow Bible truth to abide within you, you will not forget it, and you will grow in the grace and strength and effectiveness of the Word of God.

And you will be blessed in what you do.

Dorothy