Weekly Sermon
James 1:21 reads, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
James 1:21 instructs us to receive the truth and teaching of God’s Word with meekness of heart. In so doing, this verse describes God’s Holy Word as “the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” In fact, throughout James 1:18-25 we find a series of descriptions concerning God’s Word that reveal the wondrous treasure that the Lord our God has granted unto us in giving us His Holy Word.
James 1:21 reads, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
James 1:21 instructs us to receive the truth and teaching of God’s Word with meekness of heart. In so doing, this verse describes God’s Holy Word as “the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” In fact, throughout James 1:18-25 we find a series of descriptions concerning God’s Word that reveal the wondrous treasure that the Lord our God has granted unto us in giving us His Holy Word.
The Truthful Word
First, we learn that God’s Holy Word is the truthful Word. In the opening portion of James 1:18, God’s Word is described as “the word of truth” – “Of his [God the Father’s] own will begat he us with the word of truth.” By its very nature, God’s Word is “the word of truth.” By its very nature, it is the truthful Word. Indeed, it is “true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9). From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, God’s Word is the truth (John 17:17). It teaches the truth about the Lord our God and about our own selves. It teaches the truth about righteousness and about sin. It teaches the truth about heaven and about hell. It teaches the truth about this present evil world and about our selfish rebellion against God. It teaches the truth about our condemnation as wicked sinners and about God’s gift of eternal salvation. It teaches the truth about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and about His sacrificial death on the cross for us sinners. It teaches the truth of God’s grace to save sinners and of our responsibility to receive that grace through faith alone in Christ. God’s Holy Word is “the word of truth,” revealing the truth of the gospel and the truth for godliness.
The Regenerating Word
Second, we learn that God’s Holy Word is the regenerating Word. Again from the opening portion of James 1:18, we find that the instrument with which God our heavenly Father begat us again spiritually was His Holy Word. “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.” Indeed, it is through the instrument of His Holy Word that the Lord our God draws us unto repentance of our sinfulness and unto faith in Christ our Savior. Even so, Romans 10:17 declares, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It is the message of God’s Word that is able to make us wise unto eternal salvation. Even so, in 2 Timothy 3:15 the apostle Paul stated unto Timothy, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” It is the gospel of God’s Word that is the very power of God unto salvation for us as believers. Even so, in Romans 1:16 the apostle Paul gave testimony, saying, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Yea, the gospel of God’s Word is the incorruptible seed of new spiritual life that is implanted into our hearts when we believe on Christ for salvation from sin. Even so, 1 Peter 1:23-25 declares concerning us believers, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” Indeed, God’s Holy Word is divinely alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). Therefore, it is able to produce new spiritual life within us who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith as our personal and eternal Savior (John 6:63).
The Engrafted (Implanted) Word
Third, we learn that God’s Holy Word is the engrafted (or, implanted) Word. In the closing portion of James 1:21, we are instructed, “And receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” When we respond to the gospel of God’s Word and receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith as Savior, the incorruptible seed of God’s Holy Word is planted in our hearts by God the Holy Spirit. Through our faith in Christ, the seed of God’s Word germinates and begins to take root within us. Such is spiritually true for every single believer, so that the spiritual seed of God’s Word becomes an implanted part of our new spiritual nature to govern us, guard us, and guide us. Yet we are instructed to continue receiving the truth of God’s Word with meekness, thus allowing it ever to take deeper root within our character. Even so, as we allow the spiritual seed of God’s Word to take deeper root within our character, it will bring forth the fruit of righteousness in our lives.
The Transforming Word
Fourth, we learn that God’s Holy Word is the transforming Word. Again from the closing portion of James 1:21, we find that the implanted Word of God is able to save our souls. “And receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” As we have previously considered, this truth is delivered to believers, to those in whom the Word of God is already implanted through faith in Christ for salvation. Therefore, in this context the truth concerning the ability of God’s Word to save our souls is not referring to our eternal salvation from eternal condemnation, but is referring to our daily deliverance from sinful character. It refers to the ability of God’s implanted Word to transform the character of our hearts. Yea, it refers to the ability of God’s implanted Word to deliver our inner character from selfish corruption and to transform our inner character unto Christ’s righteousness. Indeed, it is through the instrument of His Holy Word that the Lord our God prunes and purges away unprofitable elements from our lives. Even so, in John 15:3 our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed, “Now ye are clean [pruned and purged] through the word which I have spoken unto you.” It is through the truth of God’s Word that we are able to grow spiritually. Even so, 1 Peter 2:2 gives the instructions, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” It is through the truth of God’s Word that the Lord our God sanctifies us unto His righteousness. Even so, in John 17:17 our Lord Jesus Christ prayed unto the Father concerning His own, saying, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Yea, the truth of God’s Word is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Even so, thereby we are perfected unto spiritual maturity and “furnished unto all good works” and godly behavior (2 Timothy 3:17).
The Revealing Word
Fifth, we learn that God’s Holy Word is the revealing Word. From James 1:23-24 we find that those who are only hearers of the Word, and not also doers of the Word are “like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass [or, a mirror]: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway [immediately] forgetteth what manner of man he was.” Then verse 25 speaks concerning those who are both hearers and doers of the Word, saying, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” Through this illustration we understand that God’s Word is like unto a spiritual mirror that reveals unto us our spiritual character. As Hebrews 4:12 indicates, the divinely living and powerful Word of God is “sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Indeed, having pierced and divided us unto the depths of our hearts, God’s Holy Word serves as a spiritual mirror to reveal the true character of our thoughts and purposes, of our attitudes and motivations, of our desires and priorities. Yea, the spiritual mirror of God’s Word reveals to us what we truly are in character and what we need to change in our character. Just as a mirror reveals the defilements upon our face, even so God’s Word reveals the corruptions in our character. It rebukes and reproves us. It corrects and convicts us. It admonishes and instructs us.
The Perfect Word
Sixth, we learn that God’s Holy Word is the perfect Word. In the opening portion of James 1:25, God’s Word is described as “the perfect law” – “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein.” By its very nature, God’s Word is the perfect Word. By its very nature, God’s Word is perfectly pure, without any defect. By its very nature, God’s Word is perfectly righteous, without any corruption. By its very nature, God’s Word is perfectly faithful, without any error. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God;” and therefore, all Scripture is perfectly profitable for our lives (2 Timothy 3:16). “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:7-8). Yea, the truth of God’s Word is so wonderfully perfect that it is to be desired more than gold, yea more “than much fine gold.” It is “sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). Indeed, the truth of God’s Word is perfectly sure wisdom for every aspect of our lives, unto which we would do well to take heed, “as unto a light that shineth in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19). It is a perfect guide unto our way and perfect light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). The testimonies that our Lord has commanded in His Holy Word are perfectly righteous and perfectly faithful (Psalm 119:138). Yea, the perfect righteousness of God’s Holy Word shall endure perfectly for ever (Psalm 119:144, 160).
The Authoritative Word
Seventh, we learn that God’s Holy Word is the authoritative Word. Again in the opening portion of James 1:25, God’s Word is described as “the perfect law” – “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein.” This word “law” refers to the authoritative nature of God’s Word. By its very nature, God’s Word is the authoritative law of God whereby our lives are to be governed and guided. Even so, Deuteronomy 29:29 declares, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed [in God’s Holy Word] belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” By its very nature, God’s Word is the authoritative law of God whereby our lives shall be judged. Even so, James 2:12 declares, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” Indeed, it is our responsibility to conform our lives unto the standard of God’s Holy Word. It is our responsibility to obey its commands and to follow its counsels. Yea, the Lord our God has commanded us to keep all His precepts diligently (Psalm 119:4). We must view all the commands and counsels, precepts and principles, statutes and standards, instructions and admonitions of God’s Word as having an absolutely binding force upon our lives. We must view all the teaching of God’s Word as authoritative law, and we must submit ourselves to keep that law “continually for ever and ever” and to observe that law with our whole heart (Psalm 119:34, 44).
The Liberating Word
Eighth and finally, we learn that God’s Holy Word is the liberating Word. Yet again in the opening portion of James 1:25, God’s Word is described as “the perfect law of liberty” – “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein.” In transforming our character from selfish corruption, God’s Word liberates us from sinful conduct and from its destructive consequences. Yea, it liberates our hearts and lives unto a blessed walk of fellowship with our Lord in the light of His righteousness. Indeed, we experience this spiritual liberty as we look faithfully into God’s Word as diligent students and as we continue faithfully in God’s Word as obedient doers. Even so, in Psalm 119:45 the psalmist proclaimed, “And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” The truth and wisdom of God’s Holy Word, empowered by the grace of the indwelling Holy Spirit, liberates us from the bondage of selfish, sinful corruption that abides within our character. Yea, the truth and wisdom of God’s Holy Word, empowered by the grace of the indwelling Holy Spirit, liberates us from spiritual glory to spiritual glory unto the righteous character of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even so, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 declares, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Enabled by the grace of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are able to allow the implanted Word of truth to take deeper and deeper root within our hearts; and as we allow the implanted Word of truth take deeper root within our hearts, it liberates our character to joyfully fulfill the righteousness of God’s law in our daily walk. Thus we joyfully and gloriously find the spiritual liberty to see our Lord Jesus Christ’s own righteous character living in and through us (Galatians 2:20). Thus we take our Lord’s yoke upon us, learning of Him through His perfect law of liberty; and thus we joyfully and gloriously find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30). Thus we joyfully and gloriously experience the truth of 1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
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