THE BOOK OF JAMES

(“James’ Ten Commandments”) (Part 2)

James 4:4-10 (NASU)

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you …”

(James 4:8)

(A) WALKING IN THE LIGHT

(1) In Scripture living day-to-day as a Christian is often referred to as “walking”. For example, the Apostle John was glad to hear that his spiritual son, “Gaius”, was “walking in the truth” (c.f. III John 1:3-4) – which means Gaius was putting God’s word into practice in his every-day life. In another place the Apostle Paul implored his readers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (c.f. Ephesians 4:1) – thereby stressing the importance of living each day in a manner that becomes Christ’s redeemed people. Interestingly, Paul went on to list some of qualities that characterize a “walk worthy of our calling” in Christ – and the first thing he listed was “HUMILITY” (c.f. Ephesians 4:2).

(2) Scripture says we Christians are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (c.f. II Corinthians 5:7). However, “walking by faith” doesn’t mean we’ve been left to walk blindly or grope about in the darkness. On the contrary, the psalmist says “(God’s) word (serves as) a LAMP to (our) feet and a LIGHT to (our) path” (c.f. Psalm 119:105) – the idea, in this instance, being that God’s word acts more like a flashlight than a brilliant flood light – that God’s word illuminates our next several steps, rather than letting us see everything all at once. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be “walking by faith” would we?!

(3) The light of God’s word comes to us in many different literary forms – history and poetry, narratives and parables, prophecy and even statistics – and of course, God’s laws and commands. Regarding the latter, the Book of Proverbs says: “the commandment (of God) is a lamp and (its) teaching is light” (c.f. Proverbs 6:23) – while another place tells us that “the commandment of the Lord … enlighten(s) the eyes” (i.e. the “eyes” of the mind) (c.f. Psalm 19:8; see also Psalm 119:98-99).

(4) Of course, the purpose of God’s commandments is not just to fill our minds with knowledge so we can win at Bible Trivia. His commands are meant to be obeyed – they’re meant to be put into practice – their meant to be applied to our daily “walk”. Hence, James said earlier that we Christians are to be “DOERS of the word … not merely hearers” (c.f. James 1:22) – while in chapter two he did an extended discourse on the fact that saving faith is always accompanied by good works, while a dead faith is not (c.f. James 2:14-26).

(5) At this juncture in our study of the Book of James, we’re particularly interested in God’s commands – because this morning’s Scripture lesson is saturated with them – as many as ten by one count.¹ Each command shows us one aspect of God’s will for our life (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3) – each command shows us one way to please our heavenly Father (c.f. Ephesians 5:10). BUT, each command also requires perfection (c.f. Matthew 5:48) – and since none of us can keep even one of God’s commandments perfectly, each command drives us back to Christ for forgiveness (c.f. I John 1:8-9), and for His enabling grace (c.f. Hebrews 4:16). To put it another way, each command is a reminder of how weak we really are – and how much we need Christ and His grace to live (or “walk”) moment-by-moment.

(6) The first two commands in our Scripture lesson are found in verse seven, where James says (in part): “SUBMIT … to God (and) RESIST the devil …” (c.f. James 4:7). The Greek words used here are both military terms² – the first indicating we Christians are to be in “submission to God”, much like a private submits to his general – while the second indicates we are to “stand in opposition” to the devil, much like a soldier who’s been ordered to hold his position at all costs.

What’s more, these two commands go together like bees and honey – they compliment one another – they complete each other. So that it’s not enough to do just one – it’s not enough to just “submit to God”, or to simply “resist the devil” – we must do both. NOT in our own strength – but by humbly relying on “the strength which God (alone) supplies” (c.f. I Peter 4:11). NOT by our own effort – but by that “greater grace” God gives those who “humble” (c.f. James 4:6) themselves before Him.

(B) A THIRD COMMAND

(1) And that brings us to this morning’s text (found in the first part of verse eight), where James gives us a third command, saying: “Draw near to God …” (c.f. James 4:8).

(a) To “draw near” (“eggizo”)³ means “to approach” c.f. Luke 19:29),³ or “come up close” (c.f. Philippians 2:30).³ In this instance, the command is to “approach” God – or “come up close” to Him. Hence, the picture is that of a person “standing some distance away” (c.f. Luke 18:13), who then “approaches” or “comes close” to God. Nor are they simply “coming closER”, rather they are “coming close” – for the former could mean they are still a long way off – whereas the latter means they’ve moved from being far off to being right alongside.

(b) The idea of “draw(ing) near to God” (c.f. James 4:8) suggests intimate fellowship, or a close personal relationship with the “great and awesome God^”4 (c.f. Daniel 9:4) – what we sometimes call “communion” with Him.⁴ As Scripture says elsewhere, we Christians have been “called into FELLOWSHIP with (God’s) Son, Jesus Christ …” (c.f. I Corinthians 1:9) – and again, that part of being saved means we actually HAVE “fellowship … with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (c.f. I John 1:3).

This fellowship or communion that comes from being “near to God” (c.f. James 4:8) is similar to the relationship Adam and Eve enjoyed with their Maker prior to the Fall (c.f. Genesis 3:8a). It’s also similar to biblical descriptions of the marriage relationship between a husband and wife – where there’s knowing and familiarity, harmony and companionship, submission and sacrifice, as well as an ever growing mental, physical, and spiritual intimacy.

(c) Unfortunately, given the present state of things in a fallen world, this intimate relationship between God and His covenant people (or between Christ and His bride) can be broken – NOT in the sense that true Christians lose their salvation (c.f. John 10:28-29) – but in the sense of moving away from God (so to speak), which happens whenever we neglect our relationship with Him, or fail to confess our sins and repent. Hence, the Apostle John writes: “If we say … we have fellowship with (God) and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (c.f. I John 1:6) – i.e. our fellowship with Him is broken (as it were) because of our sin. BUT, he also goes on to say that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us … and … cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (c.f. I John 1:9) – at which point our fellowship with Him is restored.

(d) So, what are some specific things we often do that cause us to “move away” from fellowship with God, thereby creating a need for us to repent and “draw near” to Him (c.f. James 4:8). The immediate context suggests things like “fighting and quarreling” with our brothers and sisters in Christ (c.f. James 4:1-2) – or, giving rein to some of the self-indulgent “pleasures that wage war in (the) members (of our body)” (c.f. James 4:1) – or, coveting what God has given others that He hasn’t chosen to give us (c.f. James 4:2) – or, trying to be “friends with the world” and “friends with God” at the same time (c.f. James 4:4).

If we expand the context a little further, we can say that harboring “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in (our) heart” (c.f. James 3:14, 16) will separate us from God – that not keeping our tongue under control will separate us from God (c.f. James 3:2-8) – that seeing a “brother or sister” in need, and not doing what we can to alleviate their need (c.f. James 2:15-17) will separate us from God – as will giving some people preferential treatment based solely on their outward appearance (c.f. James 2:1-5).

(e) The basic effect of sin is always spiritual separation from God (c.f. Isaiah 59:2). Hence, the need to constantly “draw near to (Him)” (c.f. James 4:8) – not just once in a while, but every day – because “there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and … never sins” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 7:20)! Every sin, no matter how small we may think it is, drives the proverbial wedge between a Christian and his Savior. Failure to submit to God (c.f. James 4:7) always puts distance between Him and His children – failure to resist the devil (c.f. James 4:7) always moves us away from Christ, not closer to Him. And, since we’re prone to sin every day, we need to keep “draw(ing) near to (Him)” everyday, by making use of the means God has given us for doing so – which includes (but is not limited to) things like hiding His word in our heart (c.f. Psalm 119:11), prayer, private and corporate worship, coming to the Lord’s Table whenever we have the opportunity, and confessing and repenting of our sins (not in some generic way, but specifically).

(f) The point is, “draw(ing) near to God” (c.f. James 4:8) is not a one-time thing – it’s not a “some-time” thing – it needs to be an “every-day” thing. If we don’t “draw near to God” EVERY day, we’ll find ourselves drifting away from Him. If we don’t work on our relationship with Christ EVERY day, we’ll wake up one morning to find that our commitment to (or interest in) that relationship has waned (c.f. Revelation 2:4; 3:2) – and that’s never a good thing to have happen. Hence, one writer said: “drawing near to God is not the duty of a single hour … but the work of a lifetime.”⁷

(2) Moving on, note the promise attached to this command – for James goes on to say (still in the first part of verse eight): “draw near to God AND He will draw near to you …” (c.f. James 4:8).

(a) If (after having strayed away by virtue of sin or neglect) we “draw near to God” in an attitude of humility and repentance (c.f. II Corinthians 7:9-10), He will NOT turn us away (c.f. John 6:37). What’s more, no matter how many times we “draw near” to him in humility and repentance (c.f. James 4:8), He will NEVER say: “Sorry, I’ve had enough! I’m not going to take you back any more” (c.f. Matthew 18:21-22). On the contrary, like the prodigal son’s father,⁵ He waits (as it were) for His wayward covenant children to “draw near to (Him)” (c.f. James 4:8) – and then runs to embrace us and kiss us and welcome us back (c.f. Luke 15:20). Hence, we read promises like these – “… ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me … that I may return to you …”” (c.f. Zechariah 1:3) – and again: “… ‘the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him …’” (c.f. II Chronicles 15:2) – and once more: “‘(although you have turned aside from My statutes and not kept them since the days of your fathers), return to Me (now), and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of hosts” (c.f. Malachi 3:7).

(b) Remember, Scripture says we Christians are God’s covenant children (c.f. Psalm 111:9) – even the ones His beloved and only Son died on the cross to save (Acts 20:28; Matthew 1:21). Scripture also says that He has promised to always be our God, and that we will always be His people (c.f. II Corinthians 6:16). What’s more, it says He chose us before the foundations of the earth were even laid (c.f. Ephesians 1:4-5) – which is not just a piece of timeline information, but an image meant to convey the idea that He did not chose us on the basis of anything He foresaw in us (c.f. Romans 9:11) – but solely on the basis of His own love and grace (c.f. Deuteronomy 7:7-8).

So, given all these things (and more besides), how could the immutable God (c.f. Malachi 3:6) ever turn around and refuse to draw near to us when we come to Him in humility and repentance? (c.f. Malachi 3:6). The covenant relationship He has established with us precludes Him from ever doing so. Hence, He can no more turn His back on us when we prostrate ourselves at His feet, than a mother or father can turn their back on a wayward child when they express genuine remorse for their past offenses (c.f. Isaiah 49:15).

(c) Human words and analogies ultimately fail to convey the greatness and wonder of the promise attached to the command in this morning’s text – so I will simply restate it as we find it: “Draw near to God AND He WILL draw near to you” (c.f. James 4:8).

(d) For the sake of clarity, however, we need to dig just a little deeper, and note that God never moves. What do I mean by that? First, let me tell you what I do NOT mean – I do NOT mean God is static or inactive – as a matter of fact, the attribute of His immanence means He’s intimately involved and at work in the lives of all His creatures (c.f. Psalm 135:6). I’m also NOT speaking in terms of location, as though God is always in one place – as a matter of fact, the attribute of His omnipresence (c.f. Psalm 139:7-10) means He cannot be confined to any one place (c.f. I Kings 8:27) – instead, He’s equally present in every place at every moment.

(e) So, when I say God never moves, I’m speaking figuratively – but I’m also trying to convey a spiritual truth. For when our text says, “He will draw near to (us)” when we draw near to Him (c.f. James 4:8), it doesn’t mean He’s moving. What it’s telling us is that when we draw near to Him in humility and repentance, we will discover He was “right there” (as it were) all along.⁶ As Scripture says in another place: “The Lord is NEAR to all who call upon Him, (specifically) to all who call upon Him in truth” (c.f. Psalm 145:18).

We can certainly be “far from” the Lord in a spiritual sense. For example, after the Fall Adam and Eve were “far from” God, even though they were only a few feet away hiding in the trees (c.f. Genesis 3:8). And David certainly felt “far from” the Lord after committing adultery and murder (c.f. Psalm 32:3-4), even though God had not moved. BUT, no matter how far our sin takes us away from Him, God is always nearby (as it were), working and waiting for His people to draw near to Him in humility and repentance – and when we do, His nearness to us is made evident by the fact that He immediately forgives us and restores us to fellowship with Him. Hence, Scripture says in another place that: “... He is not far from each one of us” (c.f. Acts 17:27).

(f) Finally, the way this command and promise in our text is worded – i.e. “draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (c.f. James 4:8) – (the way it’s worded) suggests everything depends on us. That, as John Calvin explained, “the FIRST part of the work belongs to us, and only AFTERWARDS does the grace of God follow.”⁶ Or, to paraphrase a passage found in First John chapter four, while also turning it on it’s head: “the only way God will ever draw near to us is if we take the initiative to draw near to Him first” (c.f. I John 4:19).

Fortunately, God doesn’t work that way. If He did, we’d all be in a lot of trouble. As Jesus once told His disciples: “even when the spirit is willing, the flesh is still weak” (c.f. Matthew 26:41) – and left to ourselves, the flesh will always prevail. In another place, Paul lamented the fact that even as a Christian he “was not doing what he knew he should be doing – rather, he was doing the very things he knew he shouldn’t” (c.f. Romans 7:15, 19).

So, if that’s how it is – and God’s drawing near to us depends on our drawing near to Him first – we’ve really got a problem.

(g) As Christians we’re definitely responsible for our actions or inaction. Hence, if God has commanded us to draw near to Him (c.f. James 4:8) we’d better take that command seriously.

At the same time, however, this idea that God only responds to us AFTER we take the initiative is not only a theological error, it’s an affront to God’s sovereignty and grace – because it means He can’t (or won’t) do anything until or unless we take the first step. In commenting on this morning’s text (c.f. James 4:8), Calvin said: “though we ought to do this, it does not immediately follow that we can”⁶ (which just happens to be one of the basic differences between Reformed theology and Arminian theology). We’ve been commanded to “draw near to God” (c.f. James 4:8) – should we do that? (Of course!) – do we always do it? (No, not perfectly!) – can we do it on our own perfectly? (Absolutely not!).

If we apply this same criteria to other commands, we get similar answers. For example, we’re commanded to love God with ALL our heart, soul, and mind (c.f. Matthew 22:37). Should we do that? (Yes!) – do we do that? (No!) – can we do it (i.e. can we love God with ALL our heart, soul and mind at ALL times?) (No way!)

So, if God’s response to us is always dependent upon our ability to take that first step of obedience – to make that first move toward Him – there will never be any restoration or reconciliation!

(h) The idea that God only responds to us AFTER we take that first initial step, is in direct conflict with a general principle taught throughout Scripture, like the one that says: “We love (God), because He FIRST loved us” (c.f. I John 4:19). Where’s the initiative in that verse? Who took the first step – God or man?

Jesus once said: “No one can come to Me unless the Father … draws him …” – and again: “… no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father” (c.f. John 6:44, 65). Who’s taking the initiative in those verses? Who has to take the first step in order for people to come to Christ and be saved? God, or man?

Who took the initiative to make Abraham the father of the Hebrew people? Who took the initiative to make David King of Israel? Who took the initiative to make Mary the mother of Jesus? Who took the initiative to convert Paul to the Christian faith? Everywhere we look in Scripture, it’s always God who moves first, not man.

(i) So, where is God’s initiative in this morning’s text? You can see for yourself that it’s not stated – at least not directly. But I would suggest it goes something like this – that God is so “jealous for the Spirit He’s made to dwell in His people” (c.f. James 4:5), that He graciously (c.f. James 4:6) prompts us⁸ (through various means) to draw near Him – after which, He responds by drawing near to us (c.f. James 4:8). To put it another way, His work of grace (c.f. James 4:6) gives us both the desire and the ability to draw near to Him in humility and repentance – after which, He responds to that work of His own grace by drawing near to us (c.f. James 4:8). In this instance, He enables us to do what He requires, that He may bless us with renewed fellowship and communion with Him.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

¹MacArthur: The MacArthur New Testament; James; p.

201.

²IBID; p. 204.

³BCS: Strong’s Concordance; Word #1448.

⁴MacArthur: Ibid; p. 205.

⁵IBID; p. 206.

⁶Calvin’s Commentaries: Vol. XXII; Commentaries on the

Catholic Epistles; The Epistle of James; p. 334.

⁷Blanchard: Truth For Life; p. 286.

⁸MacArthur: Ibid; p. 206.