Act On/With Liberty

Each year I choose a word to guide my learning and actions. For 2023 I have chosen the word “act” with the intent that I have heard, accumulated, and learned a lot, now is the time to act on those hearings, accumulations, and learning.

“²²But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22 (ESV)

This morning I was brought to the book of James for my reading and study of the word “liberty”. This was the first verse in the passage that caught my eye other than the verse related to liberty. I was again enlightened by God to my word choice for the year. I am to be acting on the Word of God and not just simply hearing and keeping it to myself. All others need to see my actions as those speak louder than just the words we use.

“²³For 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. ²⁴For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” — James 1:23-24 (ESV)

Just knowing the Word of God is not enough, I have to act on it to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience His love for themselves. I have to act with the freedom and liberty that I have been given through my acceptance of Christ as my savior.

“²⁵But 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.” — James 1:25 (ESV)

I am to act on the liberty and not just know about it. I have to be in the work and working with my liberty as provided by Christ. I am the one who has to show who and what Christ is and not just keep Him to myself and think selfishly that I have something that others do not. I have to work to give everyone the opportunity to have what I have in Christ and experience the love and freedom that comes with that gift from Him.

What liberty and freedoms do you have in your life that you tend to keep to yourself? Are you working to act on and with the liberty provided by Christ? What if you did not keep God’s Word to yourself and demonstrated to all, through your actions, the love and liberty provided by Christ?