Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 58th. Edition.
Dear Sons (and Daughters) of the Most High,
Our passage today (James 4:4-6) is a continuation of the discussion we had yesterday. It is an interpretation of the motives that cause the covetousness that rules conflict. Enmity with God (v. 4). James calls some of his readers, obviously the ones he has rebuked in the preceding verses, adulterers. These are not necessarily people who were engaged in sexual immorality. But their love for worldly things is equated with adultery. James’ readers are familiar with the Old Testament book of the prophet Hosea. In the book, God uses the unfaithfulness of Hosea’s wife to illustrate the idolatry of Israel. If we love things and devote our attention to them, they become our Idol, and diverting attention away from God is spiritual adultery.
Exclusivity of the Relationship with God (v. 5). God is jealous for us, the same way that a husband is jealous for his wife. No sane husband wants to share his wife with anyone else. In the same way, God will not share us with the worldly things we find so attractive. He wants us for himself, and exclusively so.
Extension of the Grace of God (v. 6). In the context of jealousy, it may sound odd to talk about grace. But let us begin with the negative statement because it is more in line with jealousy. James quotes Proverbs 3:34, the first part of which says that God Scorns (or resists, opposes ) the proud. At the root of most human pursuits is pride. We want to be richer than others so that we can perch high up above everyone. We make friends with the rich and famous because we want to share their glory. We support the winning team (and migrate with our support, if it starts losing with little hope of recovery) so that we can boast about beating the world. Kenyans are tribal in almost every aspect of life, but not where our world-beating athletes are concerned.
They give us cause to boast. But how far do we expect to go, if God himself opposes us? The same God who opposes the proud Supplies grace for the humble. Humility is not the natural disposition of sinful nature. It is the outcome of the grace of God at work in us. God is jealous for us and does not want us to be devoted to anyone or anything, not even our own selves, but himself.
For us to humble ourselves before him, we need help, so he supplies grace. The desire for him and to be humble before him is a gift from God, let us not waste it.
Your loving Pastor Chris