Good morning,
This week we will be walking through James 4. We will look at the causes for strife in the Christian community, Biblical solutions, and why we need a humble dependence on God. Our key verse is James 4:7-8.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (James 4:7-8)
The solution for strife: get right with other people. v 11-12
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
- Do not speak evil of one another v 11
- Who art thou that judgest another? v 12
As we study God’s word, we are told “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
We are to restore repentant believers not condemn them. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)
The believer in Christ should: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
Let us reflect on how we are doing.
A humble dependence on God
1) Caution against an attitude of independence from God. v 13-16
“Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”
a. We will v 13
b. Ye know not v 14
c. Life is a vapor v 14
d. If the Lord will v 15
The question begs itself, “Who is in charge?” Do we make our decisions in life with or without the direction of God?
2) A challenge to live according to what we know in the Lord. V 17
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
When we know we have sinned, we must repent, ask God to forgive us, and move on. Unfortunately, Satan has won this battle with many believers. These believers feel like they have done something that cannot be forgiven. They repent but feel totally unqualified for further service. That is straight out of the pits of hell! God forgives and equips ALL who are willing to serve Him. Please do not fall Satan’s lie.
CONCLUSION
Submit yourself unto God
Resist the devil
Draw nigh unto God
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Leave a Reply