Five things to Draw Closer to God

Five Things To Do TO Draw Near To God James 4:7-8 1. Submit 2. Resist 3. Draw near 4. Cleanse 5. Purify James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. "Submit" occurs 11 times in 11 verses in the ESV. "resist" occurs 7 times in 7 verses in the ESV. "draw" AND "near" occurs 68 times in 33 verses in the ESV. "Cleanse" occurs 34 times in 32 verses in the ESV. "Purify" occurs 16 times in 16 verses in the ESV. Why this study ?  For my own encouragement.  For the encouragement of others.  Christians have forgotten how to draw closer to God.  And last just because. As my buddy Matt and I studied James via zoom he’s in Nebraska and I’m in South Dakota I came across this passage in James 4:7-8 and felt a desire to do an in depth study on these five things mentioned . I’m not a scholar nor a theologian ,Just a common man . So this is my Random Thoughts on what Gods word is telling me. After this study I will post it on my Blog russ-biblethoughts.blogspot.com and I’ll do a multi part video series on my you tube page called Random Bible Thoughts with Russ. So time to dig in. James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. {1 }James 4:7aSubmit yourselves therefore to God Before I get into the word submit we need to see why the therefore. In the Greek word oun . The biblical outline is :then, therefore, accordingly, consequently, these things being so or therefore .Everything mentioned in verses 1-6 this section of scripture is subtitled “Warnings against Worldliness” 1-6 speaks of selfish ambitions ,quarrelling ,fighting worldliness .This is written to believers. It’s a sad reality that this is still happening amongst Christians. We as Christians are supposed to be of one body with Christ as the head of that body. Romans 12:5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Col 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. The Word Submit: Greek : hypotassō is a word of action if come from 2 other words meaning to set and put under. To submit would be to put yourself under the subjection of Christ becoming his subject or becoming a bondservant to Christ. In Psalms 81 :11-12 tells us that God will give us over to our own counsel when we don’t submit to Him . 11 “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. So is our own counsel greater than Gods? I think not. Our own counsel is the here and now ,worldly, and selfish . God see’s the bigger picture. Romans 8:6-8 . 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Submission is a key part of the Christian life. Without submission then there is no life changing experience with Christ, we won’t have the peace that comes with being a Christian. We will remain worldly . Falling to our own sinful desires . Life isn’t easy there are many things to distract us from Christ. Especially with today’s tech that makes sinning easier than it has been in the past, or at least more secretive. Not submitting God may just let you go your own way as shown in Psalms. The results of submitting to the Lord ? Instruction and counsel on how to live and peace. Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. There are 4 phrases in this verse, I will instruct , and teach , you should go, and I will guide you. All these phrase when broke down are verbs they are actions . This is an action verse submit to Christ and he will take action in your life. Submission is just one step to drawing closer to God {2}Next step Resist Resist: anthistēmi=Outline of Biblical Usage I. to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose II. to set against 1Pe 5:9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. Looking at 1st Peter it looks like if you don’t have a firm faith then you can’t resist or maybe not resist for very long. Here are a few definitions of resist: strong, firm, immovable, solid, hard, rigid A. in a bad sense, cruel, stiff, stubborn, hard B. in a good sense, firm, steadfast . Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. What’s it mean to resist the Devil ? The Complete Jewish Bible puts it this way. Take a stand against the Adversary and he will flee from you. So to resist is to take a stand against. 1Pe 5:9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. Who is the him in verse 9 ? Verses 8 tells us it’s the Adversary {the devil} looking to devour you verse 8 also tells us to stay sober minded, that is steadfast unmovable. We resist the devil by remaining steadfast un movable in mind knowing that we are continually being made fuller and fuller in knowledge and closer and closer to the image of Christ(Col 3 10) CJB Because of what Col 3:10 tells us we have the mind of Christ. Knowledge and image. 1Co 2:16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. We may not know what God is up to? But having the mind of Christ that is continuing being made into a closer way of thinking as Christ thinks. So stand firm in your faith in the trust of the one who saved you, taking a stand against the devil having the mind of Christ. Hebrews 4:15 tells us Christ was tempted and did not fail. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. How did he stand against the Devil Matt4: 1-11 tells us. Each time Satan tempted Jesus. Jesus quoted Scripture he quoted Duet 8:3, Ps 91:11-12,and Duet 6:13 even in his anguish Jesus remained sober minded after he quoted Scripture Satan left him. Quote Scripture in faith and sober minded and Satan will flee from you. {3} Draw near to God James 4:8b Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. How do we draw near to God? Here are some verses on drawing near to God. From the old and new Testament of God’s word. Lev 9:7 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.” I think the key issue is repentance of sin in your life not a burnt offering. For Jesus was the final blood offering for the whole world for those who choose to believe. If you have constant sin or are living a lifestyle of sin you need to truly repent of it . Sin is like a cancer it will only grow if not dealt with . Although there isn’t such thing as a little sin , for the penalty of sin is death . ( a spiritual separation from God ) sin when first introduce in your life can and will become a major part of your life if not dealt with when it is first introduce into your life. Draw near to Gods alter and repent and he will draw near to you. Ps 69: 16 Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.17 Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me.18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies! Ecc 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Ps 69:16-18 and Ecc 5:1 are important to drawing near to God. Ask God to draw near to you and listen to what he has to say. Be still and Know that he is God. Psa 46:10“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” To draw near is to ask be still and know that he is God listen. Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 4:16 and 10:22 have 2 key words Confidence and assurance. What do these words mean ? Confidence can also mean openly : without concealment in the Greek. When drawing near to the throne of grace do it openly without concealing anything with confidence that you will receive grace and mercy from Jehovah Jireh (God the provider). Drawing near to God in complete openness and God will provide the mercy and grace needed during times of need. Assurance can also be stated as confidence in faith from a true heart cleaned from an evil conscience or mind. I like how the CJB puts it “let us approach the Holiest place with a sincere heart in full assurance that comes from trusting with our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience.”. we can approach the throne of grace with confidence and assurance because our hearts been sprinkled clean , purified . Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. This is pretty straight forward seek first God and his kingdom put him before everything and he will provide for your needs. For me that biggest thing is having the peace of Christ in my life during the good times and the bad. To recap this part 3 Draw near to God: ask him to draw near to you ,seek him be still and listen. {#4} Cleanse Cleanse your hands, you sinners, How do we Cleanse ? Simple True repentance of our sin’s. Not just saying the words but believing we have forgiveness. True repentance is to turn away from the sin. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. There’s that 2 letter word IF that has huge implications. If we confess he is faithful and just to forgive our sins . If we don’t confess then sins aren’t forgiven. What does God do when he forgive us? He blots out our sin, he erases our sin and remembers it no more as if it never happened. Isa 43:25“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Isa 44:22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. Act 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, The phrase “blotted out means to wipe out ,to obliterate, to exterminate , to erase. Blotted out is an action phrase when we repent and turn away from our sins God takes action, In your life to erase the sin from us. We are cleansed by Christ death who was our propitiation the one who covered our penalty of sin. 1Jo 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. So what are the implications of having clean hands or maybe should say a righteous life? Christ covered our sins and when we repent and seek true forgiveness on that day when we stand before God in judgement we will be judged not on our sins but on our works that we did to further the mission of Christ. 1Co 3:12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. We will pass thru the fire of purification our bad works or deeds will be burned up the rest that survive we will get rewards . Even if all our works a burned we will still be saved. Repent and be cleansed. #5 Purify Its interesting that the Greek word for cleanse also has the definition of purify and the Greek word for purify has a definition of cleanse. But yet they are 2 different words. They both have a moral sense to them . James say’s purify your heart, you double mined. I’ll look at the morality part of the definition of purify your heart. As I’m thinking about this verse here double minded is mentioned .Being double mined means divided interest. As a Christian if you have an interest in fleshly things and things of God then you are double minded. The problem is if you have a mind set on the things of the flesh then you can not please God for you are hostile to God Romans 8:5-8 makes this pretty clear. Romans 8: 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You can’t have it both ways either your for Christ or your against Christ you can’t straddle the fence. Here is an example fictional as it is it’s true in context. There was a fence and people were standing on the fence the fence divided those for Christ and those for Satan. Christ came to gather his people most jumped off and joined Christ but some remained on the fence. After Christ left Satan came and told those on the fence to come with him. But they said we don’t choose you . Satan replied you don’t choose Christ either. Then Satan continued you see because you didn’t choose Christ you have to come with me for I own the fence. You have to make a choice. Either you live in the flesh or you live in the spirit for Satan owns the fence you are straddling. The flesh is dark and the spirit is light they both can’t occupy the same space. Part of purifying the heart is being single mined for Christ living in the spirit and not in the flesh As I’m thinking of the word purify I’m think of one who smelts metal. You heat it up until its liquid the impurities come to the top (called Slag) and its removed and the metal has no impurities in it. Mal 3:3 give this kind of example about purification. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD {fn} Or and they will belong to the LORD, bringers of an offering in righteousness Purify your heart like the refiners fire and remove the slag from you . Christ gave himself up himself to be our redeemer to purify for himself a people zealous for good works Titus 2: 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Matt 6: 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. Where are the treasures of your heart? Is there slag (worldliness ) in your heart that can be destroyed or is there treasures of heaven that does not get destroyed . Mat 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money or possessions. An unpurified heart cannot serve God for it has a hold in things that are not of God. Ask God to remove the Slag from your heart to purify your heart. Brief review Submit: be instructed and counseled on the things of God . By submitting God will take action in your life. Resist: take a stand against the Devil knowing we are being made to have the knowledge and being made more into the image of Christ daily having the mind of Christ. Draw: Ask God to draw near to you , listen and be still and know he is God. Cleanse: Repent for he is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Purify: remove the slag of the world from your heart being single minded to the service of God.