“ Drawing Near To God ”
(James 4: 7-10)
I. Introduction.
A. Let me begin with the one thought that is the theme of this lesson:
we are helpless unless we take seriously the prescription offered by
James in verses 7-10. 1. As you look through these verses, you see
the key words of that relationship and for that peace: “ submit ” ; “
Draw near to God ” ; “ cleanse ” ; “ purify ” ; “ mourn and weep! ” ; “
Humble yourselves. ”
2. To submit, to God or to anyone, is the very opposite of the more-
worldly attitude of controlling our own direction and destiny. It forces
us to give up such personal control and turn our lives, and futures,
over to God. It makes surrender of our will, our desires, an active
endeavor, a part of our lives, not just some ideal we speak of, but
don ’ t do.
3. To submit to God also means to “ resist the devil. ” Turning to God
means turning from Satan and rejecting him. Again, resistance is an
active, not passive, matter.
4. Then, as we submit to God and to His will, and As we resist the
devil and his desires, we “ Draw near to God. ” (verse 8). What
follows, in verses 8 and 9, comes as a result of such a close
relationship.
5. In verse 10, James ties it all together: “ Humble yourselves in the
sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. ” Such humility, and sacrifice,
of self will exalt us (lift us up) and bring us peace – with God, with
ourselves, and with others.
B. The most-basic desire of our Creator and Sustainer is that we
draw near to Him. He created us to be His children. He made us to
have a close relationship with Him. We are in His image. Through
Jesus Christ we have been given the privilege of coming into God ’ s
presence. From that presence, and because we have that privilege,
we receive benefits from God: