Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:21-22)
Being a Christian is preeminently practical. You must live what you profess, otherwise, you are deceiving yourself. You certainly do not deceive Christ by professing Him while practicing sin. Note that being “doers of the word” does not minimize God’s grace, in fact, grace is obtained by “obedience to the faith” (Rom. 1:5). To receive God’s word into your heart you must remove sin through repentance. Just as flowers cannot grow in weed-infested soil, God’s word cannot grow in your heart while sin is growing there. Upon “laying aside” all forms of sin you must also receive God’s word with meekness, the humble calmness that does not object to truth, but willingly yields to it. Yes, being a Christian is practical. Be a doer of the word. Implant God’s word in your heart, obey it and be saved.
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