~ James 4 ~
In just one chapter we find a straightforward procedure for obtaining “Abundant Life Now” and victorious Christian living even though there is a war between good and evil present in our lives (all quotations in this posting are from The Message).
The introduction to the principles (James 4:1-6) ~ “Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.
“You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
“You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that ‘He's a fiercely jealous lover.’ And what He gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that ‘God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.’”
(1) Submit to your Creator (4:7a) ~ “So let God work His will in you.”
(2) Choose to rebuff sin in your life (v. 7b) ~ “Yell a loud ‘no’ to the Devil and watch him scamper.”
(3) Choose to be intimate with God (v. 8a) ~ “Say a quiet ‘yes’ to God and He'll be there in no time.”
(4) Seek righteousness and holy living (v. 8b) ~ “Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.”
(5) Hate sin just like God hates sin (v. 9) ~ “Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious.”
(6) Have a realistic view of yourself (v. 10) ~ “Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.”
(7) All your words about others should be uplifting (v.11-12) ~ “Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, His Message, His Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?”
The rest of the chapter (vs. 12-17) ~ “And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, ‘Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money.’ You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, ‘If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that.’ As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.”
Summary ~ “Abundant Life Now” and victorious Christian living (and James 4) begin and end with doing the will of God to the best of your ability.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT: For those who would like to look at the subject of God’s will in greater depth the tab TWBDOE at the top of this page describes Robert Lloyd Russell’s book on the How To’s of God’s will.
