SUBJ: Desiring
and obtaining a nearness to God wherein there is fruitful interaction
and praise unto our God is an essential of our life.
AIM: That we
may discover that happiness and peace known only in closeness to God and
in prompt submission and obedience.
INTR: The
opening words of this chapter are very searching and accusatory and that
as we consider that these words were written to believers primarily.
1. The terms used would have been well-known and the consequences
understood by the Jewish Christians to whom James wrote. 2. We are to
understand them as being applied in a spiritual sense in that address
departures from the order and relationships defined in Christ. 3. The
terminology in verse 4 is particularly harsh, but also clearly
explanatory of the condition addressed – Friendship with the world sets
one at odds with God
THESIS:
There is no middle ground for the Christian. We are either near to God
or we are cut off from fellowship with Him which is a miserable state
for one with true Spiritual sensitivity.
I. The necessity in
drawing nigh to God (vv. 5-7) 1. In verse 7 we find the ubiquitous
therefore and would learn of it placement. 2. The statement in verse
5 presents difficulty to many in that it seems to refer to a particular
reference and there is none matching it to be found. 1) It would seem
rather that the thought to the “scripture saying” is a reference to that
which is generally understood as to the veracity of the Word as well as
its authority. 2) We would parallel it with such thoughts that
connect to the ministry of the Spirit as being holiness in the believer
and therefore is capable of being grieved. 3. James has in view the
things preceding, but looks to the intervention of grace as connecting
with a conscious action by true believers. 1) Here there is a direct
quote: Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the
lowly. Proverbs 3:34 (Consider the automatic door that seems difficult,
but responds easily to a touch when the need is acknowledged by pushing
the button) 2) We find here another couplet as to the extremes of
God’s dealings with men – Resists the one while providing grace to the
other. 4. Thus, comes the mandate to that gives rise to another
couplet: Submit and Resist 1) Submit: i. In obedience to the faith
of God’s elect – Here we consider the whole of the work of Christ in the
provision of redemption and note that if that was required, we had
nothing to offer and so we submit to provision ii. In obedience
bowing to the sovereignty of God as to He will control our lives and
iii. In receiving, with joy, the life provided for us as we walk in the
Spirit and make no provision for the flesh. 2) Resist the devil i.
A mandate with a guarantee of success ii. We resist by prayer (Satan
can do nothing with a saint on his knees iii. We resist with the Word
of God – the example of Christ: “man shall not live by bread alone but
be every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God…” iv. We put on
the whole armor of God as described in Ephesian 6 and thus stand!
II. The commandment to draw nigh (vv. 8-9) 1. See: Therefore say
thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the
LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 1:3. AND Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee:
thou saidst, Fear not. Lamentations 3:57 2. Lenski observed that
“This is said to Christians who are to flee to God by repentance and
faith, who will then always find Him drawing near to them in grace,
pardon and protection. 1) We are reminded of the Prodigal Son and the
reception of the Father! 2) There is manifested in the Scripture a
desire in God to be near His people (That where I am there ye may be
also…) and they to be near to Him – Job crying “O that I knew where I
might find Him.” 3. John Gill wrote: “…they draw nigh unto Him when
they come to the throne of His grace, for grace and mercy to help them;
when they draw near to Him in prayer with true hears, and lift them up
with their hands to God; when in the exercise of faith and hope their
enter within the vail and come up even to His seat; and lay hold on Him
as their covenant God and Father; and He draws nigh to them by granting
them His precious presence, by communicating His love to them, by
applying the blessings of His grace, by helping them in times of need
and distress, and by protecting them from their enemies…” 4. We dare
not come in a way of presumption being forgetful of His holiness and yet
knowing that we are bidden to come: 1) As to the clean hands and pure
hearts: Hands refer to outward actions and deeds and hearts address the
seat of our will and affections. “Blessed are the pure in heart…” 2)
Consider 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall
stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Psalms 24:3-4. 3) And be reminded that: A double minded man is
unstable in all his ways. James 1:8. 5. Verse 9 is a clarion call to
repentance (also, the means of resisting the devil) 1) Which at first
seems to counter the words of Paul in Rejoice in the Lord alway: and
again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 and James in My brethren, count it
all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; James 1:2. 2) The issue
here is the source of laughter and joy as being connected to worldliness
and so we are reminded of the strong words of verse 4; SIN SEPARATED,
REPENTANCE RESTORES.
III. The outcome of drawing nigh (v. 10)
1. The sight of the Lord will indeed humble us and so we are bidden to
act accordingly! 2. Consider: For thus saith the high and lofty One
that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and
holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to
revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite
ones. Isaiah 57:15 3. The result is full restoration to the benefits:
“Righteous and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit 4. It is being
brought realize and know the presence of the Lord, and the status of
being the beneficiaries of such Love that we are called the Sons of God.
5. It is cold, threatening and hostile in the friendships of this world
– Draw nigh to God and He will draw gloriously nigh to you.
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