“Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).
Having been reminded that man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God (v.20), James transitions the reader towards proactive pursuits that are able to accomplish the desired purposes of God. In contrast to angry words, that evoke verbal abuse and confrontational violence, we are to pursue and receive the word implanted by the activity of God; that which is the word of truth (1:18), the saving word (1:21), the perfect law of freedom (1:25), and the royal law (2:8). That James utilizes present tense verbs (action words) is a crucial reminder, that the constant putting away of those things that inhibit, and conflict, with what God would have us to become is a timeless and uncompleted endeavor.
Bobby Dagnel 