The Work of the Word

Having been justified by this word of truth, James wanted to let his readers know that there is a continuing work of the word in their lives to sanctify them.

Genuine faith leads the believer to have an attitude about God's word that is quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, but rather approaches the word in humble submission.

To have optimal conditions for the reception of this word, we are commanded to repent of sin (all filthiness and rampant wickedness). An attitude of unrepentant sin is like a weed that chokes out the word.

Lastly, not only does the word do a work to justify and sanctify, but there must also be evidence of this purifying work in works of faith that flow out of the believer who has been transformed by the word of truth. The work of the word produces one who is a doer of the word and not a hearer only.