James 1:19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 

There have always been believers who have been well versed in Christian teachings but failed to practice what they’ve known. I’m certainly included on that very long list. I expect you are too, at least some of the time. The longer I’ve been a Christian the more I see the wisdom of God’s ways – and the more aware I become of my inability to follow God’s ways all the time. If I’m honest it can be deflating. But this morning I’m paying particular attention to v.21:

“…welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls”. 

The words “with meekness” reflect a posture of humility that I find it so important for me. I receive the Word of God by grace alone, in full knowledge it is the power of the Word that saves me, not anything I bring in my own strength or will. It is “power made perfect through weakness” (as the apostle Paul likes to say) through which God makes me of any use in his Kingdom.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace which has given life to this poor sinner. Continue to do a work in me. Never let me forget my complete need of you in all things. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.