First Baptist Church of Bolivar
Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
“Wash Your Hands, You Sinners: What Does God Want from Us?” (Billy Russell, 05/10/20)
Faith in Days Like These
“Wash Your Hands, You Sinners: What Does God Want from Us?”
(James 4:7-10; Prov. 3:34)
In these pandemic days, what does God want from us? In 4 brief verses, James answers this question with 10 urgent, staccato commands, and 3 connected promises. James teaches us our faith involves actively pursuing our relationship with God because of His grace.
Submit yourselves to God (4:7)- order your life under God’s authority.
Notice the “therefore”, which ties God’s grace to the command (v.6).
We wholeheartedly submit ourselves (reflexive) to His lordship over us.
Whoever you follow (submit/yield to) is who’s leading/guiding your life.
We seek to obey/submit to God, rather than friendship with the world.
Resist the devil (4:7)- stand against (oppose) the enemy, the slanderer.
We no longer give any allegiance to the adversary.
Our allegiance is now exclusively given to God!
This is an active command: be aware, take evasive & direct action.
Promise #1- “and he will flee from you.” (“When...Then” connection.)
Draw near to God (4:8-9)- movement towards God’s gracious invitation.
Single-minded pursuit of God! Move ever closer to Him, step by step.
Promise #2- “and he will draw near to you.” Seek, you will find (Mt.7:7)!
Practical responses of both devotion and action are necessary.
Both external & internal steps signify our priority of relationship w/ God.
External sign - “Cleanse (wash) your hands, sinners”(forgiveness pic)
Internal signs - “purify your hearts, double-minded ones” (clarity pic)
“Be miserable, mourn, and weep...” (repentance pic)
“Let your laughter be turned to sadness...” (godly
“...and your joy into gloominess...” sorrow)
Humble yourselves before the Lord (4:10)- God graces the humble!
God graces those who submit to Him, resist the adversary, and draw
ever nearer to Him. This is a good picture of humility (contra pride).
This is not works-based salvation. It is response to grace salvation!
Promise #3- “and he will lift you up.” God recognizes/helps the humble!
How will you respond to what God wants from you? (Humble yourself.)
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