Do What You Hear
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Do What You Hear
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 15
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
It is written that in the beginning God created everything that exists and when he was finished with his creation, he said that “it is good.” If God says that it is good then this means that it is good and actually more than good, it means that it is perfect. However, do we live in a perfect world today? So, what happened to this perfect world? God in his perfect wisdom gave humanity only one rule to follow. This was not a rule designed to hurt them or to take away fun from them. This rule was given and expected to be followed so that humanity could continue to live in a perfect world and continue to be good as God created them to be. They heard the Word of God. In fact, they were able to walk with God in the garden so there was no mistaking the Word and command of God. However, we learn that it was not enough to just hear his Word. They had to actually do what it says. Adam and Eve had heard the rule and yet Eve was led to being deceived and she broke the rules and then Adam, knowing too what the rule was decided to break the rule as well since his wife broke the rules. From then on humanity has struggled with this ability to hear the Word and yet they still disobey.
In our passage from Deuteronomy Israel is preparing itself for the promised land. However, before they can enter this land there are some rules that God wants to establish with them. God gives them the law in which they should follow. The law is to serve a purpose. God says, “follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you.” The purpose of the law is so that the people can live in the land that is promised. This would infer that without these rules then they would not be able to live well in the land of promise. Rules are designed with the purpose to give order and to protect life and prosperity. They are also given a warning to not add to these rules and to not take away from these rules. Again, God’s law is perfect so what could we add to make it better? And if we cannot take away from these rules or change them to benefit what we desire in the flesh. It is like a child changing the rules in the middle of the game so that they can be the winner. We cannot suddenly say that adultery is ok under the circumstance that it gives one momentary pleasure. We cannot say that stealing is ok under certain circumstances so that we can have the things that we want. And when we add to the rules because we think we know better we are in fact just making things harder for others.
Having these rules given to them by God also set Israel apart from the rest of the world. Other nations would take notice to see how close the God of Israel is with His people. They would be set apart as a nation with such righteous decrees. However, there is a warning to not forget these laws. The people are called to write them onto their hearts and to teach their children and their children’s children. These decrees are to be a part of a way of life and they are for the good of the people.
Now let us fast forward to Jesus’ time. We read in Mark 7 that the Pharisees are taking notice that Jesus’ disciples are not washing their hands before they eat. They say that their hands were defiled. Now to us today, I think we would expect one to wash their hands before eating too. We expect this for the purpose of not spreading germs and therefore getting others sick. Therefore, it would be reasonable expect someone to wash one’s hands before a meal. However, there is a different purpose in the hearts of these Pharisees that makes their detest a problem. Verse 3 and 4 tells us, “The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.” The Pharisees do not know anything about germs for they can only know of what they can see. Therefore, their purpose of taking issue of this is because it breaks their traditions. To them tradition is law. However, there is a difference between God’s law and human tradition. God commanded that nothing should be removed or added to the law. However, these teachers of the law are adding to it through tradition.
Jesus after hearing the complaint of the Pharisees, points out to them the fallacy of their tradition. He quotes to them the prophet of Isaiah, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” They were not worried about keeping God’s law but only human tradition. Jesus then points out that it is not what they put into their bodies that defiles them but what comes out that defiles. The point is that eating with dirty hands is not going to defile these men. Jesus is not saying don’t wash yourself before you eat. He is saying that not doing so is not a sin and therefore will not defile you. However, if your actions are sinful and you speak sinfully these are the things that come out of the body that will defile you. If you are sinful inside then sinful things will come out of you through your actions. However, if you choose to obey the law then you shall not be considered to be defiled.
Our passage in James this morning is all about being doers of the Word. It is one thing to know the law but it is another to uphold it. Verse 22 says, “Do Not merely listen to the word, and deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Pastor Anna pointed out to me yesterday that the New Living Translation says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” The point is that it is not enough to just hear and know the law but one must actually keep the law or else one becomes a law breaker. We may in fact all be sinners but this does not mean that we have to keep on sinning. If we know what we ought to do but do not do it then how can we call ourselves followers of Christ or keepers of the Word. If you are going to be a keeper of the Word then you must actually keep the Word. If you listen to the words of Jesus but do not do what he says, then James says you are like a person who looks at themselves in a mirror and then immediately forget what you look like after you turn away. You go to church on Sunday and see yourself as a Christian and then when you leave the church you cease to act like a Christian. The law is designed to give freedom and when we follow the law we will be blessed.
We must be careful to distinguish between law and tradition. There is nothing wrong with tradition and it can be beneficial to us however, breaking tradition is not going to send us to Hell. Breaking God’s law is what makes us deserve Hell. However, keeping Jesus’ word and believing in him is what gives us grace and forgiveness from being law breakers and saves us from Hell. Being saved by grace though does not mean we are exempt from hearing the Word and doing what it says. It is important to do what you hear and to follow the truth that you read. Therefore, let us be doers of the Word and walk closer with Jesus.