SUBMIT YOURSELF TO GOD
-- JAMES FOUR
James chapter 3 ends with a contrast of earthly wisdom
and wisdom that is from above. "...This wisdom descendeth not from above,
but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good
fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:13-18)
In James four we see the effect of the "wisdom which descendeth not from
above."
The wisdom of this world produces wars and fightings
among brethren. Wars and fightings can be traced to the lusts of men. Worldly
wisdom causes the neglect of prayer. (James 4:2) Worldly wisdom causes prayer
to be offered through improper motives. The motives of those who pray with
worldly wisdom are to gratify their own desires. This friendship of the world
makes them enemies of God.
Envy is also a fruit of worldly wisdom. (James 4:5)
Christians must remember that God resists the proud, and gives grace to the
humble. (James 4:6) Grace should cause those seeking heaven: (1) to submit to
God, (James 4:7) (2) to resist the devil, (James 4:7) (3) to draw nigh to God,
(James 4:8) (4) to cleanse their hands and their hearts, (James 4:8) (5) to be
afflicted and mourn over their sins, (James 4:9) and, (6) to humble themselves
before God. (James 4:10)
Care must be taken that we do not set ourselves up as
judges of the law or as judges of our brethren. (James 4:11-12) We also must be
careful not to plan and leave God out of those plans. (James 4:13-16) James
four closes with a look at the sin that will mean eternal condemnation for
many. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him
it is sin." (James 4:17) The things James discussed are things people
already knew. Our problem is that often we do not do nearly as good as we know.
Do not be filled with pride --
James 4:1-5:
Here
James deals with the source or origin of altercations among brethren. He listed
as causes of these wars and fightings: (1) a lust after worldly things, (2) too
much stress on worldly pleasures, and (3) valuing too highly worldly
friendships. Lust leads to wickedness, envy, hatred, and even murder.
Christians must do what they can to win the war within. Within each Christian
there is a conflict between worldly passions of the flesh, and God's spiritual principles
that should be allowed to govern the soul.
These Christians
kill with hatred, lust, evil words and a lack of prayer. Sincere prayer would
have caused their willful selfishness to dry up in their hearts. Even when
these brethren prayed they were motivated by selfish greed. God does not answer
prayers prayed only for selfish gratification. (James 4:3)
Some had become guilty of spiritual adultery because of
their strong love of and friendship with the world. These brethren had broken
their marriage covenant with God by loving the world with a stronger love than
they had for God Himself. When a person loves the world too much it draws away
the love of that soul from the Almighty. The person, who, with purpose and
intention, loves the world, turns away from the Creator. Lust for the world in
a heart, and the indwelling Spirit of God in that same heart, is an impossible
idea.
Do not be guilty of worldliness-- James
4:6-10: James said, "God resisteth the proud." Pride is the
great hindrance to righteousness. Pride leads the list of the seven things God
hates. (Proverbs 6:16-19) It led to Satan's fall and has destroyed many humans
as well. Our pride puts us at enmity with God Himself.
Christians must forsake the friendship of the world, and
in humility of heart submit to God. If we will yield to God in everything, and
yield to the Devil in nothing he will flee from us.
We are taught plainly how to act toward God, in order to
become submissive to His will. Christians must: (1) Draw nigh to God, draw nigh
in worship and daily service, (2) Cleanse your hands, cleanse your hands means
exactly the same as "purify your hearts," (3) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; mourn
and weep for your own sins and the sins of others, and (4) Humble yourselves in
the sight of the Lord, God will draw nigh to those that draw nigh to Him. As we
draw nigh to God in doing our duty, He draws nigh to us in showing mercy!
Do not judge a brother -- James 4:11-12:
Everything that we say about others must be guided by the law of kindness and
the spirit of Christ. Solomon said of the worthy woman, "She openeth her
mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." (Proverbs
31:26) It must also be so with us also! James cautions us, "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." (James 4:11)
"The
law" spoken of in James 4:11 is the law of Christ, the gospel, or the law
of Liberty. The Hebrew writer wrote, "The priesthood being changed, there
is made of necessity a change also of the law." (Hebrews 7:12). There is a
law that man must obey in order to walk with Christ.
Scripture does not at all condemn distinguishing between
right and wrong. In fact it encourages it. (Isaiah 5:20, Hebrews 5:14) On the
other hand, there is nothing more decidedly condemned in the Scriptures than
the habit of pronouncing a judgment on the motives or heart of others.
Do not boast about tomorrow -- James 4:13-17:
James gives a vivid picture of some who made great plans for the future. Their
sin was not in planning for the future, but in failing to consider God in their
plans.
The uncertainty of tomorrow is stressed throughout the
pages of the Bible. Our earthly life is like a fog or vapor. It disappears so
very quickly. The thing that matters is for us, in whatever days may come, to
have the right attitude toward God. (James 4:15) Our thought must always be --
"If the Lord wills."
This section ends with some of the most somber of New
Testament teaching. James said, "therefore to him that knoweth to do good,
and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17) To know to do good, and do it not is the
greater sin. It is universally true that if a man knows what is a right, and
does not do it, he is guilty of terribly sin.
Saving obedience includes believing and being baptized.
Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; But he that
believeth not, shall be damned. (Mark 16:16) We beg you to see the truth and be
obedient to it. Now is the accepted time!
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA