James 4: 1-10 The Glory of Humility

James 4: 1-10 The Glory of Humility

[4:1] Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from?
Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? [2] You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. [3] You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. [4] Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, "God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? [6] But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy into dejection.
[10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

What is happening in this scripture? – This is a part of a sermon in the form of an epistle that was circulated around to the small fledgling congregations of Jews following Christ. Some scholars say it was written around 100 A.D. But if it was written by James, the brother of Jesus, the original must have been written much sooner. In any case, James had a lot to say to the congregations of these early gatherings. He knew that if these early persecuted groups did not hang together, they would hang separately or die out all together. When you read this scripture, look deep into it. The author obviously knew human nature quite well. He points out that most of the conflicts they are having with each other stem from their own egos, their own cravings from within. He also convicts them of asking wrongly, saying that if, in their asking, their motive is to spend what they get on their own pleasures, they will not receive. He challenges them: Are they a friend of the world, or a friend of God?
James points out that if they submit themselves, and their egos, to God, to that which God loves and stands for, (love, compassion, justice, forgiveness, mercy, generosity) that their relationship with God will be strengthened. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

How is this happening in the world today? – One of my favorite ministers asks, “Is what you are doing building the body of Christ up, or tearing it down? Is it building people up or tearing them apart? We in the body of Christ especially are challenged now. We have some issues that could bring us together in a way we have never been before, or we could get our egos involved, yearn for personal control, let our fear of the new and different threaten us into dispersion.

[5] Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, "God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? [6] But he gives all the more grace; therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

How is this scripture about me? – Lord, I am human. I accept your free and undeserved grace and when you give it, I somehow think that gives me a license to judge. Lord, help me to remember, it’s not about rules, or walls, or locked doors, and saying “no” to others who would seek your community. It’s not about my will, Lord. It’s about loving what you love. And you love freedom and acceptance of all people. Lord, help me remember that to be exalted by you means to love and serve others. May it be so. - RSP