Put It Into Practice

Philippians 4:9

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

James 1:22

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

From prison, Paul teaches and encourages the believers in Philippi to actually do what he has been teaching them and modeling in his own life. Paul freely admits weakness and imperfection, but his personal revelation and relationship with Christ Jesus have so profoundly changed his life that he wants everyone to experience what he has.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, did not have the full revelation of Christ until after His Resurrection, but once he encountered the Truth of the Living Word, James shares his revelation that listening to the Word is not enough; rather, we must obey it.

My personal experience after coming to faith in prison was first to begin to learn the Word – what it says, and what it means. But the active, living nature of the Word (Hebrews 4:12) requires that it be believed and acted upon. As I began to actually “do what it says” my whole life shifted into an entirely new and more powerful realm!

At first I tried to do this in my own strength, but found it impossible to do consistently and completely without surrendering to the Holy Spirit daily, and asking Him to do it in and through me. There is abundant peace and contentment in obedience.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Tell the Father you want to learn to apply scripture in your daily life. Jesus exemplified obedience. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to be obedient. You will see great results and experience His peace.

Dive Deeper: Study James 1.