"God wants you to be sad..."
Notes
Transcript
God wants you to be sad…sometimes.
God wants you to be sad…sometimes.
Sorrow is appropriate sometimes.
When? Why? For what?
When? Why? For what?
We will answer that as we deal with the subject of this text - humility.
Remember...
This fits into a reoccurring theme: Practicality of Religion in Relationships (1:27; 2:1; 2:8; 2:15–16; 3:9; 3:16).
Section Outline:
Relationship with People (vv. 1-2a) - BOOKEND
Relationship with God (vv. 2b-10) - CORE
Relationship with People (vv. 11-12) - BOOKEND
Now, here the subject of humility, which is necessary in our relationships with people, is first and foremost necessary in our relationship with God (1 Peter 5:5–6).
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
Let’s notice...
Humility Begins with Submission (vv. 7-8)
Humility Includes Sorrow (v. 9)
Humility Leads to Exaltation (v. 10)
Humility Begins with Submission (vv. 7-8)
Humility Begins with Submission (vv. 7-8)
Therefore
Submit - subordinate, be under, obey
James develops this submission with 2 related commands...
Resist the devil (v. 7)
Resist the devil (v. 7)
Resist - stand against, oppose
His agenda is sin (1 John 3:8).
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
So, our agenda must be to avoid sin (1 Peter 5:8–9).
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
He will flee - temptations will come and go, they will pass (1 Corinthians 10:13)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Draw near to God (v. 8)
Draw near to God (v. 8)
Draw near - to come near or approach (believers).
To relate to God in the ways that He has given us to relate to Him - His word, prayer, worship, obedience.
It is responding to Him, and it will bless and satisfy us. This is not about having a relationship with God, but about participating in that God-given relationship.
He will draw near - you will be able to grow closer to God because of Him and what He does - in the ways that we relate to Him.
James takes resisting the devil and drawing near to God a step further with a picture of repentance.
Cleanse… and purify...
This is a picture like the OT ritual washings symbolizing the removal of sin.
Which is part of a greater picture of Christ.
But, the genuine believer will have sin to turn from.
This is part of relating to God.
The parallel phrasing here gives insight into the sin in mind.
Double-minded - duality, two-souled, vacillating
The worldliness of verse 4 affecting the passions involved in verses 1-3.
And notice the hands and heart in this.
Exterior and interior
Conflict and passions
All of this is what it means to submit to God, which is the path to humility.
Humility Includes Sorrow (v. 9)
Humility Includes Sorrow (v. 9)
Now we can clearly see the context for verse 9.
Sorrow for what?
Sorrow for what?
Sin (Psalm 38:3–6; Psalm 38:18; Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness,
6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning.
I confess my iniquity;
I am sorry for my sin.
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Specifically (4:1-4).
Humility Leads to Exaltation (v. 10)
Humility Leads to Exaltation (v. 10)
This verse encloses the content since verse 6 within the subject of humility.
So submission and sorrow are both part of humbling ourselves before God.
Not only that, but there is a certain exaltation that is connected to humbling ourselves before God.
How will God exalt us?
How will God exalt us?
Meaning - lift up, elevate, honor
Way
In context - gives more grace (v. 6, loving the unlovable, more than world/sin).
In context - drawing near (v. 8)
With the joy of forgiveness, with victory over temptation, with the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Living Word, with answers to our prayers, with the encouragement and edification of believers, with the opportunities and abilities to evangelize and disciple others, etc.
How are you being proactive in submitting yourself to God?
How are you being proactive in submitting yourself to God?
This will included sorrow for your sin and the enjoyment of God’s ways of exalting/honoring.