Listen and Do...

James 1:22-25 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes aay and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does."

There are too many people in this world that 'listen' to the word of God and then go on about their day as if they had never heard God at all.  There are also too many people who are Sunday Christians and weekly sinners.  I mean, we are all sinners don't get me wrong but as a Christian aren't we supposed to strive to be a better follower of Christ?  Why only 'listen' on Sundays?  In fact, we should be listening more to Him throughout the week than just on Sundays.  I have very much been guilty of this myself and I want to do better.  I want to let God run my life all the time instead of just once a week.  It hurts my heart to think that we are ashamed to live for Christ all the time and show others who He really is other than just Sundays.  I have heard so many non-Christians say that they would rather stay the way they are instead of follow a God that is a hypocrite.  What they mean is, they have heard Christians talk about their faith but then they see Christians out partying, having sex, doing drugs, and then go to church on Sunday.  Why would they become a Christian when that is exactly what they do now?  The only difference is the name on which they call themselves.  Other than that they are pretty much the same. 

I want to pray and take these words from James and apply them to my life.  I have been reading everyday for a week about my Savior and yet I am still in sin.  I want to strive to be like Jesus because that is what we are called to do.  So, I pray with conviction that God gives me the strength and will to follow Him and actually DO His word instead of just listening to it.