The God Directed Life

James chapter 4 is a very practical lesson in how we should direct our lives. You should read it all, but here are some selected passages: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

This passage is typical of all of the New Testament in that it mentions many of the wrongdoings that we should avoid. But more than that, it is saying that we should draw near to God. If we set the direction of our lives toward Him, the rest will work itself out. In the middle of this passage quoted above, He says, "Adulterers and adulteresses!" He isn't just talking to people who have committed physical adultery; He is talking about people who turn away from Him. The OT and NT talk about God being the husband and His people being the bride (note Isaiah 54;5 and Ezekiel 16:32). He wants a faithful bride, faithful people; not just in matters of physical adultery, but in the direction of our life.

God wants us. He wants our heart. James 5:7,8 says, "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

We must "establish our hearts" and "draw near to Him." Thanks for reading...and for caring about Spiritual things. See you next week.