The Requirement of the Christian

James 4 7-10 “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Introduction:Sometimes called “the Proverbs of the New Testament,” the book of James practically and faithfully reminds Christians how to live. From perseverance to true faith to controlling one’s tongue, submitting to God’s will, and having patience, this book aids readers in living authentically and wisely for Christ. Many have claimed that James and the apostle Paul differed on the question of faith versus works, but in reality the spiritual fruit that James talks about simply demonstrates the true faith of which Paul wrote. Their writings are complementary rather than contradictory. Possibly one of the earliest of the New Testament writings (A.D. 40–50), the book is believed to have been written by Jesus’ brother James (Gal. 1:19).

The Demand of Submission

james 4 7 “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

The notion here is of complete humble subjection

GOd calls Christians to fully submit to him

Submit by Putting on the full armour God.(Eph 6:11)

Eph 6:11 “11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Gods word

Submitting to one another(Eph 5:21)

Ephesians 5 21 “21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

The demand of Sanctification

James 4 8 “8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

The Closer we draw to God the Closer he will draw to us.

God calls Christians to live and act Like Christ(Ro 8 12-13)

Romans 8 12-13 “12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”