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)
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.”
- We will v 13
- Ye know not v 14
- Life is a vapor v 14
- 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 for Satan’s lie.
CONCLUSION
- Submit yourself unto God
- Resist the devil
- Draw nigh unto God
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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