(“Receiving The Word Of God”) (II)

James 1:16-25 (NASU)

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)

(A) A ONE-OF-A-KIND BOOK

(1) Orthodox Christians agree that this book – i.e. the Bible – is unique. One of the BASIC BELIEFS of the Christian faith from its inception is that this book – which contains the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments – is different from any other book that has ever been written. Nor do we merely believe that the Bible is different from secular books like “Hannibal Rising”, or “The Audacity of Hope” (which are both current best sellers) – we also believe it’s different from other so-called sacred books like the Koran, and the Book of Mormon – the difference being that the Bible is “inspired by God” (c.f. II Timothy 3:16a), while these other books are not – that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments “really (are) the word God”, while all these other books (both secular and sacred) are simply “the word(s) of men” (c.f. II Thessalonians 2:13).

(2) The Bible is unique because it alone points us to Jesus Christ as the ONLY WAY of salvation (c.f. John 14:6; Acts 4:12). For example, Paul said the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments: “are able to give (us) the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (c.f. II Timothy 3:15) – he never said that of any other book, be it secular or sacred. Jesus Himself once said: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; (and) it is these (i.e. these Scriptures) that testify about Me” (c.f. John 5:39) – the implication being that the Scriptures alone tell us eternal life can only be found through faith in Jesus Christ.

(3) Another thing the Bible does that’s unique is show us how to please God AFTER we’ve received His “free gift” of salvation (c.f. Romans 6:23) – i.e. it shows us what TO do and what NOT to do, so that our heavenly Father and our Savior are honored by the way we live (c.f. I Corinthians 10:31). The Book of Colossians says we Christians are to: “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to PLEASE Him in ALL RESPECTS …” (c.f. Colossians 1:10) – but the only way we can do that is if we study God’s word, and put what we learn into practice (c.f. James 1:22).

A more specific command is found in Hebrews chapter thirteen, where we’re told: “not (to) neglect doing good and sharing, (because these kinds of) sacrifices (PLEASE) God” (c.f. Hebrews 13:16) – BUT, we wouldn’t know that if it weren’t for the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

(B) SPIRITUAL AND PRACTICAL DIMENSIONS

(1) The Bible IS a unique book. Hebrews chapter four says it is: “living and active … and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of (our) heart(s)” (c.f. Hebrews 4:12). Second Timothy chapter three says it’s: “profitable for (things like) teaching, (and) reproof, (and) correction, (and) training in righteousness (c.f. II Timothy 3:16). Through the prophet Isaiah, God said His word: “(never) return(s) to (Him) empty, (that it always) accomplish(es) what (He) desire(s), and … (always) succeed(s) in the matter for which (He) sent it” (c.f. Isaiah 55:11).

At the same time, however, the Bible is NOT a magic book people can pick up and read every once in a while, and expect to automatically receive a blessing¹ – the Bible is NOT a switch we can simply “flip on” whenever we want to have our minds illuminated, or our hearts comforted – it’s not even a “how-to” book that will fix all our problems if we just follow it’s “step-by-step” instructions. As one writer said: “God has laid down (certain) conditions which must be obeyed before we can claim the … promises He makes (to us in His word).”¹

(2) Being able to understand the truths found in Scripture, and put them into practice, requires more than intellectual ability or human will power. There is a spiritual dimension involved – for unless the Lord opens the eyes of our mind and the ears of our heart, we will never be able to understand the Scriptures – at least not in a way that results in us repenting of our sins and professing saving faith in Jesus Christ. One example will suffice to prove this point.

The Book of Matthew says Jesus: “spoke many things to (the crowds) in parables” (c.f. Matthew 13:3a) – so much so, that at one point His disciples asked: “Why do You speak to them in parables?” (c.f. Matthew 13:10). We might have expected Jesus to give an answer like – “I do it to make my messages more interesting” – or, “I do it to make the truths I teach easier for people to understand”. But that’s not what He said at all – not even close!

Here’s what He did say (and in order for us to get the full impact, I’m going to quote from the Gospel of Mark): 11“To you (i.e. My disciples) (it) has been given (to know) the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside (i.e. outside the kingdom of God) get everything in parables, (Why?) 12so that … they may see and NOT perceive, and … hear and NOT understand, otherwise they might return and be forgiven” (c.f. Mark 4:11-12).

The force of Jesus’ answer is, that unless He opens the eyes and ears of people’s spiritual understanding, they will never be able to grasp the truths found in the Bible in a way that results in their salvation. What’s more – as other places in Scripture make clear (c.f. Ezekiel 12:1; John 3:19; 9:39-41; I Corinthians 2:14) – apart from the regenerating work of God the Holy Spirit (c.f. John 3:3-8), whereby He raises us from spiritual death and gives us new life, (apart from this work of His grace) no one even realizes they are blind or deaf – so they don’t “see” any need for God or anyone else fooling around with their spiritual eyes or ears.

(3) Once THIS spiritual dimension is in place (and not a moment before), a second factor comes into play – one that requires certain things FROM US in order for the private reading and public preaching of God’s word to have it’s maximum effect on our lives. And that brings us to this morning’s text, where James tells us how to “receive the word” (of God) – saying in the first half of verse twenty-one to: “(put) aside ALL filthiness and ALL that remains of wickedness …” (c.f. James 1:21a).

Unconfessed sin hinders our ability to understand God’s word. Like wax in our ears,² those sins we hold on to, and do not repent of, will interfere with our ability to “hear” God’s word whenever it’s being preached. Hence, if we care about this, we should try (not in our own strength, but that which Christ gives us) (we should try) to get rid of every trace of sin “that remains” (c.f. James 1:21a)³ – having seen the evidence of changes our Savior has already made in us, we shouldn’t relax or become satisfied – we should continue (as the Book of Hebrews says) to: “lay aside EVERY encumbrance and … (EVERY) sin which … entangles us” (c.f. Hebrews 12:1) – because even those sins we think are relatively insignificant, impact our ability to “receive the word (of God)” (c.f. James 1:21) in a way that will be “profitable” for us (c.f. II Timothy 3:16), and honoring to our Savior.

(C) THE REST OF THE STORY

(1) But, that’s only part of the story – for James goes on to say in the last half of our text: “in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (c.f. James 1:21b). That’s what we want to look at now – and we will do it by asking and answering four simple questions.

(2) Question #1 – What are we to receive?⁴ James’ ANSWER is that we are to: “receive the word” (c.f. James 1:21b), which he calls “the word of truth” in verse eighteen (c.f. James 1:18) – otherwise known as the word of God – all of which are clearly references to the inspired Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. James is talking about the Bible – not one of the other so-called “sacred books” esteemed by some to be of equal value or truth in this day of pluralism and political correctness.

(a) There are numerous books available today, written by Christian authors, many of which are very helpful when it comes to understanding God’s word and putting it into practice (c.f. James 1:22-25). I have some in my office that I reference all the time – we have some in our church library available for you to check out and read. I especially like many of the books written by James Boice, John MacArthur, and Arthur Pink. But I also have books by Michael Horton, J. I. Packer, Francis Schaeffer, and Louis Berkoff. I have reprints of books written centuries ago by men like Thomas Boston, Charles Spurgeon, Edward Reynolds, and John Calvin. I even have books by Tozer, Stott, Frame, Kidner, Keddie, Lloyd-Jones, Morris, Mack, Barnes, Ryle, McGee, Shedd, Vincent, Lewis, and Luther – to mention only some.

(b) As I said, many of these books can help us grow in the Christian faith – many of them can help us better understand God’s “word” (c.f. James 1:21b), and even put it into practice. HOWEVER, not one of these books is inspired the same way Scripture is inspired (c.f. II Timothy 3:16) – not one of them is “God-breathed” – not one of these books is infallible, or free from error.

Moreover, James didn’t have any of these books (or others like them) in mind when he said: “receive the word” (c.f. James 1:21b). Nor did he say, “receive books about the word” – what he said was: “receive the word” – literally, “accept”⁵ the word of God – “welcome”⁵ the word of God – “take in”⁵ the word of God – embrace the written word of God!

(c) It’s wonderful to read books about the Bible – but it’s even better to read the Bible! It’s good to be able to read other people’s thoughts about what the Bible teaches – but it’s even better to read what God actually says in His inspired written word! “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to generations of godly men who devoted their lives to the written exposition of Scripture – but we do them, and ourselves, and God a serious disservice if we concentrate more on their books than on the Scriptures themselves.”⁴

Every Christian should be read the Bible for themselves – from Genesis to Revelation – including all those “boring” genealogies, and instructions about how to build the tabernacle, and how to tell whether a person or a house has leprosy or not. Every Christian should be reading through the Bible for themselves on a regular basis, in addition to whatever other devotional or study material they may also be reading. And I say that because doing so will help us “receive” (c.f. James 1:21b) the maximum benefit from the public preaching of God’s word.

James says we’re to “receive the word” of God (c.f. James 1:21b) – not books ABOUT the word of God – or even sermons ABOUT the word of God. Like the Bereans in Acts chapter seventeen, we should “(receive) the (preaching of God’s) word with great eagerness” – but we should also be: “examining (i.e. reading and studying) the Scriptures daily (for ourselves)” (c.f. Acts 17:11).

(3) Question #2 – How are we to “receive the word” of God?⁴ (c.f. James 1:21b). James says we are to “receive” it “in humility” (c.f. James 1:21b) – (a) i.e. with a humble and submissive spirit, like what Jesus described in the third Beatitude, when He used the same Greek word to say: “Blessed are the meek …” (c.f. Matthew 5:5a, NKJV)⁶ – and also when He described Himself as: “gentle and humble in heart” (c.f. Matthew 11:29b).

You and I are to have a similar attitude when we read the Scriptures for ourselves, or sit under the preaching and teaching of God’s word – namely, a “teachable” spirit⁶ (as it’s sometimes called today) – a readiness to learn, as opposed to being ready to reject or object to anything that doesn’t agree with our preconceived ideas.

(b) Obviously we need to be discerning, and “test the spirits to see whether (or not) they are from God” (c.f. I John 4:1b) – especially since Scripture says: “many false prophets have gone out into the world” (c.f. I John 4:1c). We need to be discerning because we don’t want to dishonor our Savior by being “lead astray” (c.f. Mark 13:22c) – or: “tossed here and there by … every wind of doctrine (and) trickery of men” (c.f. Ephesians 4:14b).

At the same time, however, we need to “receive” the true preaching of God’s “word” with “humility” (c.f. James 1:21b) – with complete submissiveness – with a readiness to believe and do whatever our Heavenly Father tells us.

(c) Someone has noted that the Scripture says God will “reason” with us (c.f. Isaiah 1:18), but He will not negotiate with us.⁷ When it comes to salvation there’s only one way (c.f. John 14:6) – His way, or hell!

Likewise, when it comes to the commands and truths found in God’s word, He will not compromise⁷ with us, or make any concessions to us – there will be no give and take to try and find a middle ground we can both agree on. We only have two choices – resist or surrender – believe or disbelieve – obey or disobey – accept⁷ what He says as the truth, or reject it as lies. As Moses once told the people of Israel: 26“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27(a) blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God (to do them) … 28and (a) curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God (to do them) …” (c.f. Deuteronomy 11:26-28) – while in another place he said: 19“… I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live … 20by loving the Lord your God, (and) obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him …” (c.f. Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

(d) Occasionally Christians talk about “wrestling” with a certain portion of Scripture, or a particular doctrine found in God’s word. And sometimes that IS the case – but other times what we’re really doing is “resisting” what God’s word is telling us.⁷ Sometimes what we’re really doing is trying to explain away a truth we find offensive (for whatever the reason) – or that doesn’t fit our system of doctrine. Sometimes we’re “wrestling”, when we should be “submitting” – sometimes we’re “resisting” what God’s word says, when we ought to be “receiving the word in humility” (c.f. James 1:21b).

I think most people would admit there ARE difficult points of interpretation at various places in Scripture⁹ – and sometimes Christians (in a fallen world) are simply going to disagree on what those interpretations are. What we need to guard against is “wrestling” over things that are clearly taught – like the absolute sovereignty of God – and the deity of Christ – and the total inability of any man or woman to save themselves – and the inspiration of Scripture – and the perseverance of the saints⁹ – to mention only five.

Sometimes we just need to STOP “wrestling”, and “receive the word” of God “in humility” (c.f. James 1:21b). Sometimes we just need to STOP “resisting” the truth, and submit to God’s word in simple faith.⁹

(e) When it comes to the Scriptures, the only way we will ever benefit from reading them, or studying them, or listening to them being preached, is if we “receive” them “in humility” (c.f. James 1:21b) – if we “receive” them with a humble and ready spirit, similar to that of David⁸ when he wrote: 4“Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. 5Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day” (c.f. Psalm 25:4-5).

(4) Question #3 – Where are we to “receive the word” of God?⁸ The answer is implied, rather than stated directly – for when James talks about: “the word (being) implanted” (c.f. James 1:21b), he clearly means it is to be “implanted (in us)” (as the NIV indicates) – that God’s word is to be “implanted” in the hearts, and minds, and lives of those who read it and hear it being preached.

(a) The picture is obviously one taken from agriculture, with God’s word being the “seed”. Moreover, the point is this – that just as no field can produce a crop until the ground has been properly prepared, and the seed-corn or other seed (be it oats, beans, alfalfa, or whatever) have been planted – so God’s word cannot produce a harvest of blessing in our lives until the soil of our heart is “humbly” receptive, and the seed of God’s word has been “implanted” (c.f. James 1:21b), and had time to germinate – or, as Scripture says elsewhere, to: “take root downward and (start) bear(ing) fruit upward” (c.f. II Kings 19:30b).

(b) We’ve noted on other occasions that James draws heavily from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this instance, however, he may have been drawing his illustration from our Lord’s parable of the sower,⁸ where Jesus compared the preaching of the Gospel to a man sowing seed on all kinds of soil – hard, rocky, weedy, and good (c.f. Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23). Only in that good soil, which had been prepared and made ready, was the seed of the Gospel able to take root, and grow, and eventually produce fruit. Only in that soil, where the rocks had been removed, and the weeds were constantly being cultivated, was the seed of God’s word able to germinate and eventually produce a harvest.

(c) In a similar fashion, even after we have been saved, we must constantly work the soil of our heart and mind to help make them “receptive” to the reading and preaching of God’s word. As in all things, this is ultimately a work of Christ’s enabling grace, not some kind of self-effort – but, since it falls under sanctification, it’s also something in which we are to be actively involved. And the way we get involved (in part) is by being: “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (c.f. James 1:19b) – by “putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness” (c.f. James 1:21a) – and by “receiving the word of God” “in humility” (c.f. James 1:21b).

The question is – are you and I doing the work needed to keep the soil of our hearts and minds prepared, so “the word” of God can be effectively “implanted” in us (c.f. James 1:21b) every time we read it for ourselves, or hear being taught or preached?

(5) And that brings us to our final Question (#4) – Why is it so important for us to “receive the word” of God?¹⁰ James’ ANSWER is, because “the word” of God: “is able to save (our) souls” (c.f. James 1:21b).

(a) The word “save” (c.f. James 1:21b), as used in Scripture, has a much deeper meaning than we often give to it. We usually think of it (almost exclusively) in terms of being saved once and for all from the guilt and penalty of our sins¹¹ – and it does mean that, but it also means much more! To state it briefly (because the hour is late) – not only are we “saved” in a moment of time, by grace through the gift of faith (c.f. Ephesians 2:8-9) – we are also in the process of “being saved” (c.f. I Corinthians 1:18), which includes the gradual process¹⁰ of sanctification,¹² or being “conformed” more and more into “the image of” Christ (c.f. Romans 8:29) – and then one day, “we shall be saved” (c.f. Romans 5:9b), in the sense that the entire work of our redemption (justification, sanctification, and glorification)¹³ will be forever completed once we get to heaven.¹²

(b) “The word” of God must be “received” and “implanted” (c.f. James 1:21b) in us for all three aspects of our salvation to take place – past, present, and future¹² (as we sometimes say). However, James probably had the present and/or future application of our salvation in mind here in our text¹⁴ – namely, that our progressive growth toward spiritual maturity, or being made “perfect and complete” as James said back in verse four (c.f. James 1:4), depends on us “receiving the word of God in humility so it can be implanted in our hearts” (c.f. James 1:21b).

Likewise, the “the word implanted” in our heart is one of the means Christ uses to preserve us in the faith, and help us persevere – thereby guaranteeing our ultimate entrance into heaven.¹⁵

Hymn writer Isaac Watts put it like this:

“Thy noblest wonders here we view,

In souls renewed and sins forgiven:

Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,

And make Thy word my guide to heaven.”¹⁵

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (c.f. James 1:21).