Charles Spurgeon Commentary James 1:25

"But he that looketh into the perfect law, the [law] of liberty, and [so] continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing." — James 1:25 (ASV)

But whose 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.

There are many who complain of their short memories when they are hearing sermons. Well, then, let them be quick about doing what the sermon instructs them, and then they will not be forgetful hearers.

You have heard how one good woman described the effect of the sermon she had heard. She was one who washed wool, and when her minister went around to ask her what she had learned on the previous Sabbath, she did not even recollect the text.

"Oh, Janet!" he said, "I am afraid you are a forgetful hearer; I cannot see what good the sermon has done for you."

So she took him to the back of her house, where she had a pump. She worked at the handle while she held underneath the spout a sieve full of wool that was dirty and foul. The water ran through the wool, and through the sieve, and all ran away.

"There," she said, "this sieve is like my memory. But, sir, though the water does not stay in the sieve, it washes the wool. And what you preach, though it does not stay in my memory, has washed my heart and cleansed my life and conduct."

Never mind about keeping the water in the sieve as long as it washes the wool.

No one can be called a forgetful hearer who is a doer of the work that he is instructed to perform.

He being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

The blessedness of true religion lies very much in the practical effect of it. Hearing is pleasant; but doing is the effectual proof of grace.