James: More GraceSample

'They way to "up" is down.'

Look at yourselves! That has been James’ message to this complacent, worldly, warring Christian fellowship. He has called them spiritual adulterers and enemies of God.

• What does he now call them (v. 8)?

James wants these believers to be in no doubt about the spiritual danger they are in. They are double-minded sinners, desperately in need of God’s grace.

There is great danger too though in hearing God’s word to repent but then doing nothing about it (1:22). So now James calls on his readers in a very direct way to get on and take action. Look at all the action words he uses in these few sentences.

Submit. Resist. Come. Wash. Purify. Grieve. Mourn. Wail. Change. Humble yourselves!

This is not a time for laughing, as if nothing is really wrong. This is a time for weeping and grieving over the sin which will lead to death if we let it flourish un- checked and become full-grown (1:15). Double-mindedness must end. Giving in to temptation must stop. This is a call to come back to God in wholehearted and humble repentance and submission.

• But James has words of encouragement too. What promises does he give to those who heed his words (vv. 7–8, 10)?

These believers have got into very bad patterns of behaviour; they have got into the habit of following the devil’s encouragements to sin. Perhaps they felt they could never change. But James wants them to see that the devil does not rule them; they can say no to his whispered prompts to curse and envy and fight. Do that, James says, and the devil ‘will flee from you’ (v. 7). The devil is real and he is evil, but his only power over us is if we choose to pay attention to him!

At the centre of all that James says here is the promise that our broken relationship with God can be restored. This is marvellous good news. Spiritual adultery is not the unforgiveable sin. God will come near to us in grace and favour if we come near to him again, but we need to come humbly, submissively and in deep repentance. If we try to lift ourselves up in pride, we will find that God is against us (4:6).

If we do bow down and humble ourselves before the Lord though, he will not crush us or condemn us; he will lift us up (v. 10).

In the Christian life, 'the way to "up" is always down'.

Pray

Come near to God again in the way James commands and rejoice in the wonderful promises he gives.