Article September 12, 1959 Issue

THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DOING

JACK A. KRIEGER

"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1: 22) is the Christian demand upon mankind today just as it was nineteen centuries ago. When James urged Christ Jesus' followers to make practical use of the Master's teaching in their daily lives, he clearly pointed out the difference between hearing the word and doing what it implied. He explained, "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."

In other words, to hear and not to do is not a sincere approach to the Master's teaching, for mere passivity never accomplishes anything in any avenue of endeavor. On the other hand, as James foretold, "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."

In her various writings, Mary Baker Eddy stresses the thought of being a doer. For example, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes (p. 4): "To keep the commandments of our Master and follow his example, is our proper debt to him and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has said: 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.'"

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"A MORE EXCELLENT WAY"