Where the Rubber Meets the Road

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1.22

Maybe you are old enough to remember a popular advertising jingle of the 60’s—“Wherever wheels are rolling, No matter what the load, The name that's known is Firestone, Where the rubber meets the road.” From this jingle the saying, “where the rubber meets the road,” came into popular use. It refers to the point when the action really begins, when you really begin the job—it refers to the moment when theory becomes reality. James gets down to the point where the action really begins in the verse we consider today. This is when theory becomes reality for the Christ-follower.

In the previous verse, James emphasized the humble and teachable posture the believer should have toward the truth of God’s word. Now he goes on to point out that receiving the word is not the end, but the point when the action really begins, the time to get serious, the moment when theory becomes reality. We must be hearers—receive the word—but hearing is not enough. Doing what the word teaches is where the rubber meets the road.

Here again we find James alluding to the teaching of Jesus, this time from a parable about two houses (see Matthew 7.24-27). One house was built on a foundation of sand and the other, of rock. Those who heard His words and did not do them, hearers only, He likened to one who built his house on sand. That house was destroyed by the storm. Those who heard His words and did them, doers of the word, He likened to one who built on the rock. When the storm came, the house built on the rock stood firm. Jesus’ words immediately preceding this parable suggest that the storm refers to the day of judgment. Are you building on the rock as a doer of the word?

James words here carry an important warning about deceiving ourselves into thinking that hearing is enough. Amassing head knowledge regarding the things of God can bring complacency and, even, spiritual pride. Yet when the judgment comes, what a shocking confrontation awaits the one who has been a hearer only. Falling into deception is one thing, to deceive oneself is another. If we are not careful, we can casually brush aside the teachings of Christ as though they do not apply in our case. Considering the situation, the people involved, the demands of the moment, the desired outcome…surely God does not expect me to…?

Where does the rubber meet the road for you today? Are there areas in your life you have reserved unto yourself and your own preferences in spite of their contradiction to the clear teaching of God’s word? Do you take the teaching of Scripture seriously? Have you deceived yourself into thinking that certain teachings from God’s word don’t apply to you? Do you read and study the word and listen to biblical teaching with a readiness to learn and grow from what the word teaches? Be a doer of the word!