No matter how biblically faithful, hermeneutically careful, homiletically skillful, or eloquently savvy a sermon may be, one sermon genuinely heard, believed, and practiced is worth more in a Christian's life than a thousand sermons merely heard and never obeyed.
The measure of a sermon is not merely how much truth we can repeat afterward, how deeply it moved us while we listened, or how impressed we were with the preacher's skill. The deeper question is this:
Did the Word of God change the way we live? Did or do we understand the Message?
A Christian can sit under sound preaching for years and remain spiritually unchanged if he continually hears without obeying. But when God's truth is received with faith and put into practice, the Word begins to shape the mind, govern the heart, direct the will, and transform the life.
In the Bible James (ESV) says: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
It calls for a vertical relationship, a daily choice. Yes, after hearing the Message.
One wisely applied biblical Christian sermon is better than a thousand that are heard yet not practiced by a real Christian.
Was the message prep put together lame, or delivered clearly? Was it homiletically good, and hermeneutically sound in how it was crafted and put for? Is the truth being wisely for foolishly applied?
Are the principles of truth put into practice?
Again, with some context...
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 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." James 1:22-25
Perhaps we can’t hear from the Lord because we are kind of mixed up. So many times our tendency is to think that just because we’re reading the Word or hearing a sermon about it, we’re obeying it—at least that’s the way it is with me. A lot of times I’ll hear a sermon or read a book and inside I’ll say, “Right on Lord. I totally agree with that.” But I deceive myself if, having seen what needs to be taken care of in the mirror of the Word, I then don’t do it. One of the great dangers for us who love the Word is to falsely assume that simply agreeing with the Bible that we remain in fellowship means we are fellowshipping with the Lord and other believers, or hearing that we should pause to pray means we’re actually praying; or knowing we should worship makes us actually worshipers.
James clearly warns us not to think that seeing our reflection properly means we’re doers of the Word automatically. If the Lord shows you in the Word that you need to praise Him, don’t say, “Good point”—but start praising Him right then! If the Lord shows you in the Word that you need to get right with a brother, don’t say, “Someday”—do it right then. Be a doer of the Word.
With ears clogged up, mind made up, or all mixed up, we won’t hear from the Lord. But reading the Word with meekness and then obeying it is the best hearing aid there is
* Warren W Wiersbe
Wiersbe emphasizes that Scripture is meant for dynamic spiritual growth, and good applications, rather than mere head knowledge:
"We read and study the Word of God so that we might better know the God of the Word."
"God accomplishes His will on earth through truth; Satan accomplishes his purposes through lies. When the child of God believes God's truth, then the Spirit of God can work in power."
* Chuck Swindoll
Swindoll often speaks on the bridge between context, observation, sound interpretation, and actual implementationn -- doing what the Bible says:
"Failing to apply the Scriptures would be like creating a delicious meal but never actually sitting down and tasting it for yourself."
"Application is the crowning achievement of Bible study... The message of the Scriptures must grip us personally. Conviction must lead to repentance, followed by obedient action."
* Chuck Smith Sr.
The founder of the Calvary Chapel movement frequently focused on the transformative power of a receptive and obedient heart out to practice what's so:
"God's Word isn't dead ink on a page—it's living truth that shapes you into the image of Jesus Christ. It works in those who let it in."
"Love for God is not proven by emotion or speech—it's proven by obedience... Let your life say what your lips do."
* John MacArthur
MacArthur emphasizes the absolute authority and objective nature of biblical truth as the foundation for practice in daily living:
"God's word of truth in Scripture is the source and measure not only of all other truth, but of all living."
"Truth is forever fixed. Authentic Christianity has always held that Scripture is absolute, objective truth."
* Greg Laurie
Senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Laurie highlights how vital wise immediate action is after hearing God's Word:
"Truth acted on brings more truth. But failure to respond to the truth ultimately will result in the loss of truth. God's Word becomes a millstone if we don't make it a milestone."
"It's not enough to read and study God's Word; we must do it! Success or failure in the Christian life depends on how much of God's Word you get into your life on a regular basis, and how obedient you are to it."
Absolutely. The central idea is biblically sound, with one important refinement: John 8:32 does not teach merely that learning facts makes us free. In context, Jesus is speaking about knowing Him and continuing in His Word, resulting in freedom from slavery to sin. And John 14:6 tells us why: Jesus Himself is the Truth.
Before the truth can set you free, you have to be willing to discover what has been holding you captive.
Sometimes the prison is an outright lie.
Sometimes it is more subtle. It is a half-truth, something that contains enough truth to sound believable while quietly leading us away from what God has actually said. A half-truth can be especially dangerous because the part that is true can make the part that is false difficult to recognize.
We can believe something for years simply because we have never stopped to ask, “Is this really what God has said?”
That is where Jesus meets us.
He does not merely give us better information. He does not simply correct a few misconceptions about life. He confronts the falsehood that enslaves us and calls us into the truth that gives life.
HEARERS OR DOERS?
When God's Word Moves From Your Bible Into Your Life
Prayerfullly meditate upon James 1:19–27, Matthew 7:21–27; Luke 6:46–49; John 14:15; Luke 11:28
The evidence that we have truly heard God's Word is not merely that we grasp.. that we understand it, or admire it, or politely discuss it, or even remember it. The evidence is that, by God's grace and through faith, we simply obey it.
A SERMON IS NOT REALLY FINISHED AT ALL.. WHEN THE PREACHER STOPS TALKING
There is a danger that exists in every Bible-believing Christian church.
It is possible to sit under excellent biblical preaching, carry a Bible, take notes, know sound doctrine, listen to Christian podcasts, attend Bible studies, discuss theology, and even recognize bad theology in others, while remaining remarkably unchanged ourselves.
We can become professional hearers of the Word without becoming practitioners of the Word.
And James says something startling:
James 1:22 (ESV): “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
You and I Can Be Sure of the Word of God (see verses 1:21–27)
The phrase “swift to hear” (v. 19) reminds us of how the Christian should hear and obey God’s Word, the theme of this section says Wiersbe.
James uses an illustration from agriculture in v. 21 when he talks about p 722 “firstfruits” and “the implanted [engrafted] Word.” James may be referring to the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:1–9, 18–23) in which the heart is compared to soil and the Word to seed. If believers are going to receive the Word and get strength from it in trials, then they must pull out the weeds! “Superfluity of naughtiness” can be translated “rank growth of wickedness”—weeds! The soil of the heart must be prepared to receive the Word. If we have unconfessed sin in our hearts, and bitterness against God because of our trials, then we cannot receive the Word and be blessed by it.
In vv. 22–25, James changes the picture and compares the Word to a mirror (glass). The Word of God reveals what we are on the inside, just as a mirror reveals how we appear on the outside. When Christians look into the Word, they see themselves as God sees them and thus are able to examine their hearts and confess their sins. But it is not enough merely to look into the Word and read it; we must obey what we read. A person who merely hears the Word but does not obey it is like a man who glances casually into the mirror, sees that his face is dirty, and goes on his way without doing anything about it. Such a man thinks he has bettered himself spiritually when he has actually harmed himself.
Verse 25 tells us we must gaze carefully (not glance casually) into the Word, study it, and through it see ourselves. We must then obey what the Word says. If we do, we will be happy (blessed). It is not reading the Bible that makes a person happy; it is obeying what it says. He calls the Word “the perfect law of liberty” because obedience to the Word produces spiritual liberty (John 8:30–32). Living the Christian life is not bondage, it is wonderful liberty!
Verses 22–25 speak of the private life of believers as they look into the Word; vv. 26–27 describe their public life, their practice of the Word. The Gk. word for “religious” (v. 26) means “the outward practice of religion.” The Bible nowhere calls the Christian faith “a religion”; it is a miracle, a new birth, a divine life. “If any man imagines himself to be religious,” says James, “then let him prove it by the life he lives.” What are the characteristics of pure religion? They are: (1) self-control—a bridled tongue (see 3:2); (2) love for others; and (3) a clean life. The word “visit” (v. 27) means “care for”; it suggests sacrificial care for those who are in need. True religion is not a matter of forms and ceremonies; it is a matter of a controlled tongue, sacrificial service, and a clean heart.
James uses the word “perfect” several times in this chapter. In vv. 1–2 we have God’s perfect work; in vv. 13–20, God’s perfect gift; p 723 and in vv. 21–27, God’s perfect law. God’s perfect work is His purpose to mature us; His perfect gift is His goodness to us in times of testing; and His perfect law is the Word that strengthens and sustains us.
Notice those last words:
“deceiving yourselves.”
The danger is not merely that we might waste our time.
The danger is that we might mistake hearing for obedience, knowledge for transformation, conviction for repentance, and religious activity for genuine Christianity.
A person can hear the truth and still refuse the Truth.
A person can admire Jesus and still refuse to follow Jesus.
A person can call Jesus "Lord" and still refuse to obey Him.
Jesus Himself asked:
Luke 6:46 (ESV): “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
That is not a question addressed merely to atheists.
It is a question addressed to people who call Him Lord.
1. HEARING GOD'S WORD IS NECESSARY, BUT HEARING ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
James does not tell us to stop hearing.
We desperately need to hear God's Word.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17). We need biblical preaching. We need teaching. We need Scripture read, explained, understood, remembered, and treasured.
The problem is not hearing.
The problem is hearing without responding.
James describes a person who hears God's Word but does nothing with it.
James 1:23–24 (ESV): “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.”
Imagine standing before a mirror.
You discover your face is dirty.
But instead of washing your face, you walk away saying:
"Well, that was an interesting mirror."
You have correctly interpreted what you saw.
You simply refused to respond to it.
That is James's point.
The Word of God is not merely information to inspect. It is truth God intends to use to transform us.
The Bible reveals us to ourselves.
It exposes our pride.
It confronts our anger.
It exposes our lust.
It confronts our unforgiveness.
It reveals our selfishness.
It exposes our hypocrisy.
It challenges our priorities.
It reveals where we have wandered from God.
And when God's Word shows us something that needs to change, the appropriate response is not:
"That's an excellent sermon."
It is:
"Lord, change me."
2. THE WORD OF GOD IS MEANT TO BE PRACTICED
James continues:
James 1:25 (ESV): “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
Notice the progression:
Looks.
Perseveres.
Does.
Acts.
The Christian does not merely glance into Scripture.
He remains there.
He listens.
He receives.
He believes.
He submits.
He obeys.
He acts.
This is why biblical exposition must ultimately lead somewhere.
The goal of exposition is not simply to explain what the text says. It is to bring people under the authority of what the text says.
Sound interpretation matters.
Sound hermeneutics matters.
Sound theology matters.
Sound homiletics matters.
But if all of that knowledge never reaches our conduct, something has gone terribly wrong.
D. L. Moody is often credited with the statement:
"The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives."
The saying is widely attributed to Moody, although the precise original source is not always easy to establish. The principle itself is thoroughly biblical and fits James 1:22–25.
And here is a powerful way to say it:
A Bible that informs your mind but never confronts your life has been heard without being obeyed.
3. JESUS DOES NOT CALL US TO ADMIRE HIS WORD. HE CALLS US TO OBEY IT.
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us one of the clearest pictures in Scripture.
Matthew 7:24 (ESV): “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." Jesus, Matthew 7:24–27
Here is the familiar story of two men building houses. Both men used the same material. Both built in the same geographical location. But one man’s house stood while the other man’s house collapsed. The difference was in the foundations. One built on the rock, the other on the sand. In Palestine, all land becomes parched in the summer, causing even the sandy and unstable areas to appear rock-solid. The true test doesn’t come until the rain falls. Jesus here is saying, “Be careful where you build your house. Build on something tried and true. Build upon the Rock.”
Who is the one who builds his house upon the rock asks John MacArthur? The one who hears the Words of the Lord and does them. Who is the one who builds on the sand? The one who hears His Words but doesn’t do them.
One of the great dangers for we who love the Scriptures is to think hearing is equivalent to doing. You might say tonight, “Yeah, I agree with the teaching Jesus gave on judging. I shouldn’t judge. I need to show mercy. Right on.” But if you leave here and immediately turn to someone and start gossiping or analyzing, judging or critiquing, you’re foolish, and your house will collapse.
We have such need to hear these words of Jesus because Bible students are in great danger of being foolish men who erroneously conclude that because they are hearing the truth and agreeing with the truth, they are automatically practicing the truth. The wise man not only hears Jesus’ words but also puts them into practice. And his house stands when the storm comes
There is a test of permanence with obedience (see verses 24–29).
The Bible text is about two builders who represent two men in this life. They both use the same material and the same plans, and the world cannot tell the difference in their two houses. But when the storm comes—the time of testing—the house not founded on the rock crumbles and falls. The true Christian is founded on the Rock, Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 3:11). Righteousness is not based on a church, a creed, or a “good life” but on Jesus Christ who died for the believer. A child of God is proven by lasting through the storms that test him or her. A true Christian is proven by obeying Christ. One is not merely a hearer of the Word, but is also a doer (James 1:22–25).
Remember how false believers in the Bible always fall away in the time of testing.
The mixed multitude in Israel wanted to go back to Egypt when things became difficult in their journey. Many of the so-called Christians in Rome deserted Paul at his time of need (2 Tim. 4:9–18). Yet, note how the true believers stand regardless of the test. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and many others proved the reality of their faith by standing through the storm. They were built on the Rock!
The wise man does two things:
He hears.
He does.
The foolish man also hears.
That is what makes the warning so sobering.
Both men hear.
Both men encounter Jesus' teaching.
Both men build houses.
The difference is not that one heard God's Word and the other did not.
The difference is what they did with what they heard.
Jesus continues:
Matthew 7:26–27 (ESV): “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Both houses may have looked impressive when the weather was calm.
But storms reveal foundations.
And eventually, every life encounters storms.
Suffering reveals foundations.
Temptation reveals foundations.
Loss reveals foundations.
Pressure reveals foundations.
Persecution reveals foundations.
Death reveals foundations.
Judgment reveals foundations.
The storm does not create the foundation. It reveals it.
4. YOU CAN CALL JESUS "LORD" AND STILL REFUSE TO OBEY HIM
This is where the sermon becomes intensely personal.
Jesus asks:
Luke 6:46 (ESV): “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”
Think about the contradiction.
"Lord" means Master.
"Lord" means the One who possesses authority.
"Lord" means the One whose will outranks mine.
So Jesus asks:
If I am truly your Lord, why do you continually refuse what I command?
We should never use the word Lord merely as a religious title.
If Jesus is Lord, His Word has authority over:
your marriage,
your sexuality,
your money,
your speech,
your forgiveness,
your relationships,
your integrity,
your private life,
your workplace,
your entertainment,
your ambitions,
your attitudes,
your treatment of other people, and...
your response to suffering.
Jesus is not Lord merely on Sunday morning.
He is Lord on Monday morning.
He is Lord in the sanctuary.
He is Lord in the office.
He is Lord in your home.
He is Lord when nobody is watching.
5. OBEDIENCE IS NOT HOW WE BUY SALVATION. IT IS HOW SAVING FAITH BEGINS TO SHOW ITSELF.
We must be extremely careful here.
The Gospel is not:
"Obey enough and God will save you."
That is not Christianity.
We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works.
But the opposite error is equally dangerous:
"Because I am saved by grace, obedience doesn't matter."
The New Testament will not permit that conclusion.
James says faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Jesus says:
John 14:15 (ESV): “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Obedience is not the purchase price of salvation.
It is the fruit of salvation.
We do not obey Christ in order to make Him love us.
We obey because He has loved us.
We do not obey to earn grace.
We obey because grace has changed us.
We do not obey to become Christians.
We obey because, by God's grace, we have become followers of Christ.
A genuine encounter with Jesus does not leave a person merely impressed.
It begins to produce a changed life.
6. THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT SIMPLY HELP US UNDERSTAND THE WORD. HE HELPS US LIVE IT.
There is another dimension to this that we must not miss.
God does not merely command us to obey and then leave us to manufacture obedience through human effort.
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 (ESV): “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Christian obedience is therefore not:
"I will become good enough for God."
It is:
"Lord, I surrender myself to You. Teach me Your Word. Convict me by Your Spirit. Give me grace to obey what You have commanded."
The Christian life is not merely trying harder.
It is walking with Christ and yielding to the Holy Spirit.
7. ONE SERMON PRACTICED IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND SERMONS MERELY HEARD
Now we come to the heart of the statement.
I would put it this way:
One biblically faithful sermon wisely practiced is more spiritually valuable to a Christian's life than a thousand biblically faithful sermons merely heard and never obeyed.
That does not mean one sermon contains more truth than a thousand.
It means truth practiced produces fruit.
A person could hear one sermon on forgiveness and actually forgive someone.
Another person could hear one hundred sermons on forgiveness and continue nursing bitterness.
Who has responded more faithfully to God's Word?
A person could hear one sermon on generosity and actually begin giving.
Another could hear years of preaching on generosity and remain consumed with possessions.
A person could hear one sermon on evangelism and actually share Christ with a neighbor.
Another could hear decades of evangelistic preaching and never speak to anyone about Jesus.
A person could hear one sermon on prayer and actually begin seeking God daily.
Another could attend prayer conferences for years and remain prayerless.
**The issue is not how many sermons passed through your ears.
The issue is how much of God's Word has passed into your life.**
8. A WELL-PREPARED SERMON-MESSAGE SHOULD PRODUCE A WELL-PREPARED LIFE
There is nothing wrong with excellent preaching.
We should desire it.
We should desire biblical accuracy.
We should desire careful exegesis.
We should desire sound hermeneutics.
We should desire clear exposition.
We should desire compelling communication.
We should desire faithful application.
But preaching is not ultimately about displaying the preacher's skill.
It is about exposing people to the authority of God's Word.
The preacher's task is not to make people say:
"What a brilliant preacher!"
The deeper goal is:
"What a powerful Word from God!"
And then:
"Lord, what must I do?"
That is where preaching becomes personal.
That is where exposition becomes application.
That is where doctrine becomes devotion.
That is where theology becomes obedience.
That is where hearing becomes doing.
9. SOMETIMES THE MOST SPIRITUAL RESPONSE TO A SERMON IS NOT AN AMEN
Sometimes the most spiritual response to a sermon is not applause.
It is repentance.
Sometimes it is confession.
Sometimes it is forgiveness.
Sometimes it is restitution.
Sometimes it is reconciliation.
Sometimes it is stopping something.
Sometimes it is starting something.
Sometimes it is making a difficult phone call.
Sometimes it is telling the truth.
Sometimes it is breaking with sin.
Sometimes it is getting on your knees and saying:
"Lord, You have shown me what I need to do. Now give me grace to do it."
The sermon should not end when the congregation leaves the building.
The sermon ends when the truth has been carried into life and obeyed.
10. THE MOST DANGEROUS HEARER MAY BE THE ONE WHO KNOWS THE MOST
Knowledge can become deceptive when it never produces obedience.
The Pharisees knew Scripture.
They could quote it.
They studied it.
They debated it.
They interpreted it.
But when God's Word stood before them in the person of Jesus Christ, many refused Him.
This is why we must never confuse Bible familiarity with spiritual transformation.
You can know about Christ without knowing Christ.
You can know doctrine without loving God.
You can recognize truth without surrendering to truth.
You can hear the Gospel repeatedly without ever repenting and believing.
And that is why this sermon is not merely for Christians who need to become better Christians.
It is also for the religious person who has never truly surrendered to Christ.
11. THE GREATEST QUESTION IS NOT "WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD?"
The greatest question is:
"What have you done with what you have heard?"
Have you heard that Christ died for sinners?
Have you repented?
Have you trusted Him?
Have you surrendered your life to Him?
Have you received Him as Lord?
Have you obeyed His command to repent and believe the Gospel?
Have you begun following Him?
Because there is a terrifying possibility:
You can sit in church and never become the Church.
You can hear sermons and never belong to Christ.
You can know Christian vocabulary without possessing Christian life.
You can admire Jesus without surrendering to Jesus.
You can be near the truth and remain far from the Savior.
12. COME TO CHRIST, THEN WALK WITH CHRIST
The Gospel is not simply:
"Try harder, be better, do better, earn your way into God's favor"
The Gospel is:
Christ has done for sinners what sinners could never do for themselves.
Jesus Christ lived the righteous life we failed to live.
He died the death our sins deserved.
He rose bodily from the grave.
He calls sinners to repent and believe.
Salvation is God's gracious gift.
And when He saves us, He does not merely give us forgiveness.
He gives us new life.
Therefore, the proper response to the Gospel is not merely:
"That's wonderful information."
It is:
"Jesus, I need your regeneration. I need your free forgiveness. I believe You. I confess and repent of my sin. I trust You. You are Lord. Teach me to follow You."
MAN, DON'T JUST TAKE GOOD NOTES. TAKE GOOD ACTIONS, AND STOP TAKING FOOLISH ACTIONS OR ATTITUDES.
James leaves us with a simple command:
James 1:22 (ESV): “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
So when you hear God's Word, ask:
What is God showing me?
What must I believe?
What must I repent of?
What must I surrender?
What must I start doing?
What must I stop doing?
Whom must I forgive?
Whom must I love?
Whom must I serve?
Whom must I tell about Jesus?
What step of obedience is God putting before me right now?
Don't leave the mirror admiring your reflection.
Respond to what you saw.
Don't merely hear the Word.
Do the Word.
Don't merely study the truth.
Live the truth.
Don't merely call Jesus Lord.
Obey your Lord.
Don't merely collect sermons.
Let the sermons you hear become obedience in the life you live.
Because one day, the sermon will be over.
The notes will be closed.
The Bible will be shut.
The church service will end.
And what will remain?
The life you actually lived before God.
Jesus said the wise man was not merely the man who heard His words.
He was the man who heard them and did them.
So hear carefully.
Believe deeply.
Repent sincerely.
Walk humbly.
Obey faithfully.
And by the grace of God:
BE A DOER OF THE WORD.
HERE'S A WORD TO THE CHURCH
Here is the sentence I would want the congregation to remember when they leave:
"One sermon wisely practiced is better than a thousand sermons merely heard."
Or even more sharply:
"God is not looking for people who merely hear His Word. He is looking for people whose lives prove that they have heard it."
And perhaps the most searching question of all:
If someone examined my life this week without hearing what I said I believe, would my life give them evidence that I belong to Jesus?
That is the question.
Not:
"How many sermons have I heard?"
But:
"How much of what I have heard have I actually obeyed?"
May God make us not merely hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word.
And may our lives become living evidence that Jesus Christ is not merely someone we talk about.
He is our Lord.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” See John 14
We are to work from salvation, not for salvation. Can't earn it at all. It's free.
Of course, doing God's Word does not earn salvation. We are saved by God's grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Rather, obedience is evidence of genuine faith and love for Christ. Jesus Himself connects love for Him with keeping His commandments.
"Oh my hearer, if you are not in Christ, you have nothing." ~ C.H. Spuregon
Come as you are to Jesus..honestly. Yes, right here and now. Yes you can, choosing to embrace your Maker and humbly repent of sins committed -- applying the Word of God most significantly. That's where application is to begin.
