Living worldly is not limited to indulgence in immoral activities and pursuits of personal aggrandizements, it involves lifestyle that is against God's purpose for living. James 4:7 - Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you . The followings are discussed: Control Your Desires; Draw Near to God, and Pursue God's Will.
Control Your Desires: People can not be satisfied in the pursuits and desires for personal satisfaction because they are products of lusts and can lead to outward conflicts. God is not pleased with personal or worldly desires which draw people away from Him (James 4:1-3). Christians must understand that improper desires are borne out of wrong motives and draw people away from God. We must evaluate things we want and find out how they can fulfill our lives and influence our relationship with God. The motive is wrong if such desires are meant to replace unique satisfaction of a relationship with God.
James also warns believers to beware of things they love more than God or use to replace God in their lives. He refers to those things as adultery and those who love them as adulterers. Spiritual adultery involves attempts to be committed in a relationship with God while worldly things are embraced for personal satisfaction. Believers can't just serve two masters; they can't claim to love God and things of the world at the same time (James 4:4-6). Love of the world is an enmity of God. We can't be double-minded, claiming to seek satisfaction in God and worldly pleasures. God has promised to satisfy us with good things if our relationship with Him brings about contentment in the family, status, position and material things. Dissatisfaction results in divided heart that create carnal desires. Christians will also be tempted to seek satisfaction in other things but they must depend upon God to meet their needs. God will provide for those who are committed and humbly seek satisfaction in Him. He will ignore those who question His ability to provide for needs and seek fulfillment on their own.
Draw Near to God: James provides seven keys which draw believers close to God and help to find genuine and godly fulfilment in Him (James 4:7-10). First, Christians are required to submit themselves to God, recognizing His sovereignty and authority and choosing to live according to His will. Second, We must resist the devil, and this can be successfully done when we love God with our whole hearts and find contentment in Him. Third, We must draw near to God; He is not far from those who seek and walk in His way. Fourth, Christians are to wash or cleanse their hands of sins. We must surrender our lives to God in order to receive things that are good and convenient for living. The fifth key is to purify our hearts, express our affections and loyalties to God. We can't be double-minded and still please God. Sixth, Christians are to grieve over past sins; they must recognize implications of sin and thus look up to God for forgiveness and a restored relationship. The last key is to humble oneself. Humility leads to submission and helps build genuine trust in God.
Believers must also submit to one another if they are truly submitted to God. It would be easier to resolve conflicts and restore faulty relationships if Christians can humble themselves and submit to one another. James also reminds people that they can not be perfect in judging others, thus they must leave judgment to God who is capable to make and enforce law with righteousness (James 4:12-12). Christians are called to restore, not condemn someone caught in sin or suffering for sin (Matthew 18:15-17). When we find our fulfilment in God we will seek to restore others.
Pursue God's Will: Believers must have a proper view of themselves, knowing that no one has control over his or her life. Unexpected circumstances can terminate life, cause failure or render a person useless. Therefore there is need to pursue God and stay connected to Him for success in our endeavors. Christians must put the principle of godly planning in practice. We must consider the will and purpose of God in our plans and decisions. We must recognize the supremacy of God and commit all activities into His hands. It is ungodly and sinful for a person to focus on personal successes which are based on worldly decisions and offer temporary pleasure . Choosing not to know and serve God is a sin and those who are guilty of this are transgressors. Lesson texts: James 4:1-17
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