It’s not enough for me to hear the word; I’m going to do it.
As of right now, I am obedient to the Holy Spirit, will find a church, and will be with other Christians. Nothing else matters except my relationship with God.
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A noble endeavor.
Matthew 12:50
“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 21:28–31 — Jesus’ parable of the two sons. One initially refuses but later does the father’s will. The other says he will go but does not.
Matthew 21:29
“I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.”
The emphasis is very practical: what did the person actually do?
Mark 3:35
“For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”
Luke 11:28
“Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Obedience rather than merely hearing
Deuteronomy 4:1–2
“Hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them…”
Deuteronomy 5:1
“Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.”
Deuteronomy 6:17
“Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God…”
Deuteronomy 10:12–13
“What doth the LORD thy God require of thee… to keep the commandments of the LORD…”
Joshua 1:7–8
“Observe to do according to all the law… This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein…”
Notice the progression: speak → meditate → observe → do.
God’s Word must become one’s way of life
Psalm 119:9
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
Psalm 119:11
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Psalm 119:34
“Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”
Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The Word isn’t merely information. It directs one’s walk.
Psalm 119:101
“I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.”
Hearing without obedience
Ezekiel 33:31–32
This is particularly striking:
“And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them…”
They enjoyed listening to God’s prophet, but their lives did not follow what they heard.
Jeremiah 7:23–24
“Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people…”
But Israel “walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart.”
Putting the Word into practice
Romans 2:13
“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”
Paul distinguishes hearing from doing.
Romans 12:1–2
After explaining God’s mercies, Paul says:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice…”
The theology is meant to produce a transformed life.
Philippians 4:9
“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do…”
Then:
“and the God of peace shall be with you.”
Colossians 3:17
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”
Titus 2:11–12
“The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared… teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly…”
Grace itself teaches a way of life.
Faith demonstrated by conduct
Galatians 5:6
“Faith which worketh by love.”
1 Thessalonians 1:3
“Your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…”
1 John 2:3–4
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar…”
That is an exceptionally strong statement from John.
1 John 3:18
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 5:2–3
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.”
Scripture as something to practice
Philippians 4:8–9
Paul doesn’t merely tell them what to think. He says:
“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do…”
1 Timothy 4:7
“Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”
1 Timothy 4:15–16
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them…”
Titus 3:8
“They which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.”
Hebrews 5:14
“Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
That “by reason of use” is important. Spiritual maturity involves practice.
A particularly powerful summary
2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Scripture gives doctrine, but doctrine is intended to produce a person who is “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
And perhaps the clearest summary of the whole principle is:
James 1:22
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
So biblically, the pattern is not merely hear → learn → accumulate knowledge. It is:
Hear - understand - believe - obey - practice - persevere.
And importantly, this does not mean that our works earn salvation. The New Testament consistently distinguishes salvation by God’s grace from the obedient life that follows from faith. The point is that Scripture never treats hearing God’s Word as sufficient when there is no corresponding doing.
J.
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Definitely a good goal to have. Jesus constantly advised people to follow Him and not look back. May I give you some brotherly advice? When I first got saved, I was on fire for God. I got in my car, put a Bible in my passenger seat, and said out loud, “I give you this day. I will go where you want me to, do what you want me to, and I will lead whomever You want to You.” I meant every word. I was on fire. I was ready. But? Here is the thing. I was naked.
You see, I was so on fire and so sure that I was ready to run down and face giants. However, I did not even have a slingshot. The giants are out there. They are real. They wage battle daily. I only thought I knew what I did not. The Word says, put on the whole armor of God.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:10-18
God calls us all into His Ministry. Some get scared and run the other way. Some get complacent and become satisfied with going to the “Show.” Going to church, celebrating with the music, hearing the message, and going home. Some get really excited and run out to “Save the World.” However, here is the thing: if you are not prepared? You will end up just like me. Possibly even worse at that.
Paul tells us of his time of Preparation in Galatians 1:14-24
"And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people; so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me."
First, notice this. He said, “The gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” He is not a disciple of anyone. He spent three years. Three. YEARS. How much time have you invested in learning about God, His Word, and His Way?
God knows the best times for this or that. He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Jesus Himself waited until the due time. 30-ish years. Moses was 80, Abraham was 100, Noah was like 600 when God used them. You are?
Peter tells us this in 1 Peter 3:15
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”
Do you know why? Why, as a child of God, should you be anxious for nothing? Fear nothing? Worry about nothing? Why? Why should you, simply as a child of God, feel more secure in the future than anyone else? Are you sure that you are right and all other “religions” are false? Do you know why?
If you are not prepared and go out there trying to throw around the little knowledge you may have, you may come across a clever enemy. One that could and will try to plant seeds of doubt, even in your own heart. What will you do? Someone asks you to clarify; there is none, by the way, but to clarify or rectify some of the contradictions in the Bible, or explain why Jesus IS the only “I am the way and the truth and the life,” and why “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
It is imperative for you, even though you are a child of God, to spend time with Him. Learning from Him. Learning, loving, and understanding His Word. Spend time with those of like mind. Spend the time, however much time God feels is necessary, in preparation, so that God can justify you. Prepare you to accept His plan and purpose for your life. Trust me, you cannot do it without this. No matter what you may think.
Be blessed, be a blessing.
Peter
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@PeterC thank you for that! You have hit a nail on the head! I was on fire too! Zealous! Just burning hot! And there are times when when I feel that burn again..and it’s because I love a stranger who speaks Jesus but his heart is broken..and I get nudges. As He leads me deeper into His will and closer to Him, I feel things more “heavily”? Not quite the right word but I hope someone relates. Life gets “thicker”? You can feel the darkness trying to overcome, and you fight it HARD..but some days..some commands are HARD. And battling doubt..ugh.
But I’m still running hot inside in a red hot coal. It only needs a spark 
But I haven’t had a spark in a while.
Please pray for me brothers and sisters. I need your prayers right now. I’ve prayed for God to smash my heart of stone..destroy it..and give me a heart of flesh. He’s going piece by piece..no.pun intended lol..I want a heart like Jesus..but I mess up.every day. BUT when I can use scripture daily? I found my verse! This is m8y 3rd new verse and I’m just so happy.."
Psalm 118:24 BSB
[24] This is the day that the Lord has made; we java, rejoice and be glad in it"
I say this morning as soon as I’m consciouse AND while drinking thst first cup.of java, then do morning scripture, and pray and praise. I end my day with the same verse. I’m trying to get my granddaughter to do this.too. it’s GOOD to be grateful..it changes your day 
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