1. James 1:21 (ESV)
  2. Application

The Word is implanted

James 1:21 (ESV)

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

The gospel is imprinted on our hearts when we repent of our sins and put our faith in Christ. Notice that the Word is implanted; it is not there by birth. We are not born with that Word in us. The Word is not innate, it is implanted…The Word is implanted in us when we give our lives to Christ; when we believe that our righteousness comes from him instead of ourselves; when we trust in the perfect righteousness of Christ that is given to us. So, if you are not a Christian, that Word is not in you now. That Word is not implanted in you. And if you are a Christian, it is. If you are not a Christian, you will have no power to keep the commands found in these verses. But if you are a Christian, understand that James is not calling upon you to keep these commands in your own strength, but to rely upon the grace that is given to you in the implanted Word.1

Thomas Schreiner