James 4:1-12
"submit yourselves to God"
What causes many problems in life, many "fights and quarrels"? selfish desire that exists within us... we don't have something so we want it, we want it so we covet it, we covet it so we steal it (or worse).( a slippery slope, i know, but it does highlight the progression from desire to problem)
Unfortunately, what we don't often realize is that when we align ourselves with the world and the world's mindset, we alienate ourselves from God (note, God is always with us, but we push him away, as it were and God allows himself to be "pushed". He is actually still there, just not taking an active role in our lives). the holy spirit that is in us, however, is jealous. God is a jealous God; He is constantly seeking for the hearts of his worshippers and guarding them jealously. God does, however give grace to the humble...
What if we humbly submitted ourselves to God? what if we resisted the ways of this world?
James says that God will then "come near" to us. therefore all the sinners and double-minded must submit themselves and become purified and holy. they should not take joy from the things of this world but instead submit themselves to God (this is not a call to asceticism, merely humility).
on a side note, james also warns against slander. for the slanderer, who speaks against or judges his brother, speaks against or judges the law. if we judge the law, then we are not keeping because we are in the process of judging it... the only flaw with this is that God is the only lawgiver and judge... who are we to act God? so who are we to judge each other?
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