This week, we will discuss about James Chapter 4. Please read Daniel's reflection in the following before the discussion...
There are three aspects that James tried to address in the chapter
- The true source of conflict among Christian
- Why prayer is unanswered
- The correct behavior
James addressed the concerns with the origin of conflicts in Christian community. By asking reader the true source of their quarrels, James explained the real cause of these quarrels was their own desires. They each wanted what please themselves instead of God. These are occasioned by love of the world, which means enmity with God.
Often time, we are envy for things not belonged to us. “You covet but do not posses. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war.” As we are focusing on the wrong things, conflicts occurred and prayers not answered. James clearly pointed out we are aiming wrongly. We become the lover of the world and make ourselves the enemy of God.
A common biblical image for the covenant between God and his people is the marriage bond. As we are drifting away from God’s will and focusing on our own desire, we are breaking our covenants with God. In the way, James called those who broke the covenant with Gad adulterers, specifically those Christians with conflicts.
Unanswered Prayers
“You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions”
Often time, prayer is not answered because we asked wrongly. Again, we are focusing on our own desire instead of God’s will.
The Correct Behavior
Be humble
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” God wants the happiness of all. However, the selfishness and pride prevents us from being happy. We must work with God in humility. “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.”
Draw near to God
“So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
Do not Judge
“Whoever speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. “There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?”
Live by Faith not by Sight
“ you who say, Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town, spend a year there doing business, making profit--, you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow”
We are just like a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.
Daniel
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