There are certain dispositions which must be the accompaniments of prayer. BibliographyPoole, Matthew, "Commentary on James 4:8". Such an exaltation implies satisfaction and joy. "Worship God with your life, with a deep sense of his holiness and justice, deal with others as he deals with you, and he will bless and assist you in your efforts to serve him! Must we sweeten the streams before the fountain? (“To obtain the favor of God, it is necessary to put away our sins” - is somewhat unguarded phraseology. 3. By wavering or double-minded he noteth the shameful hypocrisy which was crept in, even into their lives, which made some show of religion, And had a pretence of godliness, but in their hearts were full of ungodliness. BibliographyIce, Rhoderick D. "Commentary on James 4:8". Experiencing God | First15 Daily Devotional. Confession of sin is a part of prayer full of blessedness. 1974. 1863-1878. 1865-1868. Demosth.) 3. such as had wicked hearts, and led wicked lives; only he shows wherein true repentance consists, viz. And what is that exaltation which God accomplishes for the soul? 1. Draw Near (LIVE) – Jeremy Riddle | The Loft Sessions. De Wette’s explanation is too weak: ye undecided (between God and the world); Schneckenburger’s remark: hic sensu latiore sumendum quam, James 1:8, is incorrect, for διακρίνεσθαι there has its reason in the Christian giving his heart to the world instead of to God; see Test. 7, καθάρισον τὴν καρδίαν σου ἀπὸ τῆς διψυχίας.— δίψυχοι: Cf. 1851. It is also necessary on the other hand that the fruits of inward repentance should appear in the brightness of our works. See on this subject the Preface to the third volume of Calvin’s Commentaries on Jeremiah. Hands, the principal instruments of bodily actions, being put for the actions themselves; cleanness of hands signifies the innocency of the outward conversation, Job 22:30 Psalms 24:4 26:6 Isaiah 33:15,16. for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. This is in keeping with God's law as seen in the whole universe. There is one phrase especially in our text on which we desire to lay stress: “In the sight of the Lord.” Our humility is to be wrought in His sight. But God can’t force us into nearness with him. None but the clean-handed can ascend into the hill of the Lord (justified through Christ, who alone, being perfectly so, 'ascended' there) (Psalms 24:3-4). This is life turned up! His presence is always available. "Commentary on James 4:8". 2013. A true humility sees the truth regarding itself, that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and cries out for God. Prayer is the way to a life of communion with God--a means of keeping up an acquaintance with, and of growing in the knowledge of God. And now the way by which they can submit to God and draw near to him is explained. This agrees with all the requisitions of the Bible, and is in accordance with what must be the nature of religion. "Commentary on James 4:8". The saddest duties are sweeter than the greatest triumphs, and the worst and most afflicted part of godliness is better than all the joys and comforts of the world. .—God waiteth to be gracious (Isaiah 30:18). The way that a drop of rain comes to sing in the leaf that rustles in the top of the tree all the summer long, is by going down to the roots first, and from thence ascending to the bough. "Commentary on James 4:8". Double-minded; those who are drawn different ways by conscience and passion, and are halting between two opinions. Grow close to Him. 4. The delicacy and beauty of these expressions are, I think, but seldom noted. It seemed to look at me when I went in. The man abandons self for God. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? But in order to draw nigh to God, conversion from the former nature is necessary; therefore καθαρίσατε χεῖρας … ἀγνίσατε καρδίας. Aser. That they who draw nigh to God, must cleanse their hands; because the sins of our hands do keep us at a distance from God, and God at a distance from us. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? College Press, Joplin, MO. 229-232. There may be an endless variety in the mode and in the measure of sinning with which different individuals are chargeable. "Commentary on James 4:8". God will give us that in sorrow which the world cannot find in pleasure; serenity, and contentment of mind. It is of special importance that Hebrews was also written to Christians and yet contains this very pronounced paragraph on the conversion of alien sinners; and there is no good reason for supposing that James did not do the same thing here. Doesn’t God do the drawing? Surely not. 1685. In vain does the wild guerilla imagine that his sanguinary deeds are done in the divine behalf and winning the divine favour. 1 Timothy 2:8. 4. Clean yourselves up, purify yourselves, mourn your condition, weep before God, stop the stupid laughing about your condition, stop being happy in your sin - get on your spiritual knees so that God can lift you up to the place He wants for you, rather than the place you want for yourself. This must be understood consistently with the perfection of God's immensity and omnipresence: the saints draw nigh to God when they present their bodies in his sanctuary; when they tread in his courts, and attend his ordinances; where they always find it good for them to draw nigh unto him; and blessed is the man that approaches to him in faith and fear: they draw nigh to him when they come to the throne of his grace, for grace and mercy to help them; when they draw near to him in prayer with true hearts, and lift them up with their hands to God; when in the exercise of faith and hope they enter within the vail, and come up even to his seat; and lay hold on him as their covenant God and Father; and he draws nigh to them by granting them his gracious presence, by communicating his love to them, by applying the blessings of his grace, by helping them in times of need and distress, and by protecting them from their enemies; the contrary to which is expressed by standing afar off from them. The particular idea here is, that in order to obtain the favor of God, it is necessary to put away our sins; to approach him with a desire to be pure and holy. Kind of seems James has something on his mind here. THERE ARE PROPER PLACES AND TIMES, AS WELL AS DUE DISPOSITIONS, OF DRAWING NIGH TO GOD.