In one ear…

…and out the other.  You’ve heard the adage.  And it wouldn’t be a familiar saying if we couldn’t all relate to it.  Right?

The Apostle James says, “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.”  (see chapter 1)

Doesn’t James seem to indicate that the perfect law of liberty enables you to remember who you really are?  And that in remembering, you are accomplishing that which blesses?  It’s a pretty powerful correlation, don’t you think?

Jesus was so clear about who he was that it enabled him to remember the pure and true identities of everyone he came across – which is why he was so easily able to restore them to their original health and goodness.  He didn’t forget that he was about his Father’s business.  And every deed and word was a blessing.  His admonition to us was “go and do thou likewise.”  (see Luke 10:37)  That’s a very tall order, some would say, impossible.

Yet James gives a pretty clear recipe for our success.  1) Look into the law of liberty.  2) Keep looking.  3) Don’t forget that your job, even your purpose, is to bless.

And the law of liberty?  Jesus explained it best when he said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.   And thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (see Matt. 22:37-39)  Don’t let that go in one ear and out the other.  Remember who you really are – a doer of the blessing.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.