Functional Faith + the Truth | James 1:19-25
Are you good at listening? According to a survey, 96% of people think that they are good listeners. Listening is defined as the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages. The average person spends around 55% of their day listening. Listening requires full attention, focused concentration and careful thinking. Research has found that women are significantly better at listening than men. We think faster than we can listen. The human brain can process about 450 words per minute, but we typically speak at a rate of 125-150 wpm. Yet, we only remember about 25-50% of what we hear immediately after listening to someone speak. We are all listening to something, but what is most important who we listen to and how we respond to what they say. There are many voices vying for our attention and our obedience, but only One ultimately matters. Every time we open God’s Word or hear from God, we should pay attention. God is a speaking God and His Word not only creates reality but recreates our reality.
James writes a very practical guide to living the Christian life with functional faith. He wants us to have a faith that is rooted in the gospel and is lived out day by day, ready for any contingency in life. He starts with how our faith responds to trials and temptation and now he continues in how our faith responds to the truth of God’s Word. As you read James, you can hear his older brother’s voice throughout. Matthew 7:24,26 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. James is saying the same thing, “If you want your life built on the Rock then hear God’s Word and obey it.” If not, your life will be built on sinking sand. Spiritual blessings and lasting freedom come to those who receive and obey the truth of God’s Word.