Welcome to Hank’s Place —
Where I’ve been reading the book of James! James is an unusual book because, unlike the other epistles, it was written to the 12 tribes dispersed abroad, not gentile Christians. James 1:1. Some of those Jews were Messianic but many were still in need of Jesus. James knew he had two very different audiences for his letter — no wonder this book sounds so different!
My point for today comes from the 4th chapter. James begins describing worldly behavior. Must be for those unbelievers, right? But then he says, “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.” Hmmm. Is he correcting believers?
Why are they not asking? They don’t ask because they are too proud. They say, “I’ve got this.” But they don’t. “I can do this.” But they can’t. “I don’t need God.” Yes, they do. Or if they do ask, it is only for selfish reasons so they do not receive.
Now verse 4: “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world MAKES HIMSELF an enemy of God!”
Is he reaching out to Jews or believers? Or both? The passage goes on to speak of the greater grace God gives. Grace not for the proud, grace for the humble. To get this grace we submit to God and resist the devil who is tempting us to be friends with this world.
A friend of the world doesn’t have to be a murderous Cretan. Could be a Christian! It is someone who makes life choices from a worldly point of view instead of walking by faith. Relying upon human effort and knowledge instead of resting in God’s grace.
As I pondered this I realized I’ve been there. Thinking God could really use me because I had certain talents and abilities and knowledge. Imagine, wanting to help God out with what I’d learned from the world. Then running ahead without checking in with God.
My friend, that’s a form of misinformed pride. Leaving God out of our ‘helping God out’ thinking. It’s not that we have to fall on our faces and pray until we hear from heaven about every decision, but it IS about asking for wisdom. And understanding. And heaven’s knowledge. And having a listening ear for His replies. That’s what James is referring to in verse 6, “But He gives a greater grace.”
If you have already made a mess, it’s not too late. Don’t reach for the fig leaves of, “I can fix this” thinking. Acknowledge your mistakes, and humbly ask God for grace.
His grace is extravagant. His grace causes us — COME ALIVE!
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