James1:19-20 exhorts us concerning right relations with others, indicating that we must deny the ways of selfishness in our relations with others. Yet selfishness is the natural principle of our hearts. Thus in order to deny our selfishness and relate aright to others, we must be delivered from the natural characteristic of selfishness in our hearts. Our soul, our inner man, needs deliverance from its naturally selfish, sinful desires. James 1:21 reveals the means by which we find this deliverance – “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” Now, this verse specifically refers to God's Word as the engrafted Word, indicating that the message of this verse is for those who are already saved. God's Word is not engrafted (implanted) in the hearts of lost sinners, but in the hearts of God's children. Therefore, the deliverance about which this verse speaks as the salvation of our inner character from the corruption of selfishness.
Grammatically, James 1:21-22 can be divided into three parts, each providing an instruction. There is the preparatory instruction to repent of sin, the central instruction to receive the Word, and the extended instruction to respond in obedience. Thus the path of deliverance from selfish corruption and of transformation unto spiritual character can be summarized with three words – repent, receive, respond. Central to all of this is our relationship toward God's Word. We must repent of anything contrary to God's Word. We must receive the truth and wisdom of God's Word. We must respond obediently to the instruction of God's Word. |
