Scripture:
James 4:8 – 10 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. Be wretched mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Observation:
Here James is warning believers to not live in the ways of the world. We must live by grace given to us by God through the gospel. As we live in grace, this will change our thoughts then actions to be more like God and less like the world. The gospel provides our cleansing and frees us from our sin. James call for us to humble ourselves before the Lord and he will raise us.
Application:
I must be humble and submit myself before the Lord in order to walk with Him. This means laying down my pride, self-reliance and wants of this world. Therefore, I can’t be rockin and rollin, living in the world and walking with God. When I humble myself and place my faith in the finished work of Christ, I will receive his grace as I am a child close to the Father.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for your love and grace in Jesus. Help me to not try and walk a line to be friendly with the world, rather to humble myself before you in faith to walk closely with you.