When I was a young man, I spent time pondering deep theological problems, like the source of evil in a world created by a perfectly holy God. I expected that by the time I reached a ripe old age I would know all the answers. Even though I'm much older, I feel as if I know less now than I thought I did then.

Long ago I came to the realization that as a finite human being I do not have the mental capacity to grasp fully what is infinite and eternal. I also have learned that what matters most is not gaining more knowledge about life's mysteries but putting into practice what God has clearly told me. As I do that, I will become the kind of person He wants me to be.

James 1:12-27, for example, tells us how to respond when tempted. We are to see the benefits of resisting temptation (v.12), take responsibility for our actions (vv.13-15), acknowledge God's goodness (vv.13,17), see ourselves as the recipients of His grace (v.17), exercise patience (v.19), listen submissively to Him (v.21), and put off all moral filth and evil (v.21). These words are not hard to understand. Our problem is that being "doers of the Word" (v.22) is not our highest priority. How different we would be if we did what we know matters most!  — Herbert Vander Lugt