James 1: 21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
How many church goers or people who proclaim Christianity have heard of God’s plan for salvation and have never asked Him into their hearts? They hear the word, they may even join the church and go about their days never realizing that they never asked Christ into their hearts. They "pull up their boot-straps and go about trying to live a good life" but never have the power within to guide them; because they never really saw with the eyes of their heart the "glory of God" by which they then see their own depravity and then come to God with a heart broken by sin to receive His gift of righteousness purchased on the cross. Those who truly know Him, love Him. It is that love that compels the true believer to study to learn more of Him, to live out the life of righteousness that has been bestowed upon the believer. So many may know of Him but like Adam are seeking only His gifts and choose to love the creation more than the creator. We know the results of that choice.