Do I long to draw near to God?
Yesterday
We walked away seeing when we faithfully obey God, the devil has to flee.
Today
We want to check out drawing near to God.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Let’s Ask God For Help
Oh Lord, we love You and want to draw near to You today. Help us to hear Your voice. Teach us and grant us understanding. Thank you!
LOOK at What God Says
Let GODcha point the way.
What will you do first?
READ God’s Word
Read James 4:6-10 again.
Remember, to be humble what must be done 1st? Why?
KEEP LOOKING
Incorporate All Our Strategies
Incorporate All Our Strategies>
Remember to Hear God Speak!
Read verse 8 and focus.
What does James command next?
Who does he address?
What is the result?
Unlock the Meaning
GODcha doesn’t suggest these, but the commands are 
Key, so let’s check each one out separately.
Understand God’s Words
Check Out the Meaning
Dictionary Tutorial >What does ‘draw near‘ mean?
It’s just a tap away!
Draw near, eggízō; To bring near, cause to approach. ‘To draw near to God’ was often connected with offering sacrifices in the temple (Sept.: Ex 19:22; Eze 44:13). In the NT, it means to worship God with a pious heart (Mt 15:8; Heb 7:19; Jas 4:8, quoted from Isa 29:13). God is said to ‘approach men,’ which means to draw near to Christians, by the aid of His Spirit, grace (Jas 4:8…
Don’t forget to check the Grammar.
Draw near is Aorist Imperative Active, (aima) – this is a command!
LOOK at Other Truths About
Draw Near
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
1. Who draws near to God?
a. In the OT it was the priests who drew near to God. (Exo 22:19)
b. The Lord was not pleased with those who drew near to Him because their hearts were far from Him. (Isa 29:13)
c. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. (Joh 6:44)
Understand: God wants all of us to draw near to Him where there is grace and mercy available to us.
We see: God is the One who really starts the ball rolling.
d. Those in Christ draw near to God with sincere hearts – in full assurance of their faith – having their hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and bodies washed with pure water. (Heb 4:16; 7:19; 10:22)
Understand: Without God drawing us, we wouldn’t want to draw near to Him to know Him.
We see: We draw near in full assurance of faith with sincere hearts.
LISTEN…
Am I far from God?
Am I too preoccupied with the world and self to draw near to God?
What is the Father doing to woo and draw me to Himself and Jesus?
Is my confidence to draw near in my faith, and not in a ritual or system?
Do I long for God, pursue Him and draw near to Him with a sincere heart?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Let’s Keep LOOKING
2. What do we LEARN about God drawing near to us?
a. If you seek the LORD God, He will let you find Him. (1Ch 28:9)
LISTEN…
Am I seeking the LORD God?
If yes, how am I seeking Jehovah God?
b. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, those crushed in Spirit. (Psa 34:18)
LISTEN…
Am I brokenhearted and crushed in Spirit?
c. The LORD is near to all who call on Him in truth. (Psa 145:18)
LISTEN…
Do I call on the Lord in truth?
Have I found Him? Is the Lord is near to me?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Read James 4:8 Again
Who is James addressing in this verse?
Let’s dig a bit!
Unlock the Key Words
Let’s LOOK at who James is addressing that is Key to the text which will deepen our understanding.
Understand God’s Words
Check Out the Meaning of Sinner
Sinners, hamartōlós; Erring from the way or mark. In the NT, used metaphorically: (I) As erring from the divine law, sinful, wicked; sinful, sinners (Rom. 5:8; Gal. 2:17; James 4:8).
We see: James is addressing sinners, those who miss the mark, who are wicked, whose behavior is sinful and wicked.
LOOK at Other Truths About
Sinners
1. Who are sinners?
a. They are the wicked who will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. (Psa 1:1, 5)
b. ALL have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God. (Rom 3:23)
c. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1Jo 1:9)
Understand: every single one of us is born a sinner in need of Savior!
LISTEN
Am I a sinner in need of a Savior?
Am I deceived, saying I have no sin?
Do I understand if I am still a sinner, I am unfit to draw near to God?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
2. What will happen to sinners?
a. Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. (Pro 13:21)
b. AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED,
WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? (1Pe 4:18)
THINK: Did you notice the contrast in these verses?
Who is mentioned in contrast to sinners?
3. What is the hope for sinners?
a. Jesus said, He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Mat 9:13)
b. Paul said, Christ came into the world to save sinners, among whom he was foremost of all. (1Ti 1:15)
c. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)
d. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2Co 5:21)
LISTEN…
Do I understand my sinfulness?
Have I said no to sin, and yes to Jesus?
Am I filled with gratitude, remembering what I was, and what I still would be without Jesus?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
That’s Enough for Today!
I don’t want to bombard you today! We will finish LOOKING at what God requires of sinners in order to draw near to Him tomorrow.
For now, concentrate on the small bite we took today.
Let it nourish your soul.
What stirred your heart?
Meditate on what God has shown you, (Psalm 119:15).
NOTE and SAVE What God Has Taught You!
Yes, put these truths into your Notes in GODcha, saved forever, then you can go back and review any place, anywhere, any time!
Don’t forget to write the definitions and discovery in your hardbound Bible, next to this verse.
Turn What We LEARNED into a Prayer
GRACIOUS FATHER GOD, we thank you for Your Word to us, Your Word that is absolute Truth, that sets us free. What an incredible promise – that when we seek You, we will find You; that when we draw near to You, You will draw near to us! Oh Father, we are beginning to grasp hold of the fact that there are still some in the church who may still be Your enemies, who do not love You, but love the world and the things the world has to offer. Wake every single one of us up! May we have ears to hear, and turn from the error of our ways. Father, we know what it is like to be far from You, sinners, not giving You a thought. We may not have realized disaster pursued us, but we understand that now. Father, thank you that You have grace, grace that is greater, which is Your power, Your divine influence, that is ready and available for any and all who will humble themselves before You. Oh Father, thank you so much for drawing us to Jesus! We who did not deserve Your grace or mercy; we who were Your enemies! And Lord Jesus, we are ever so grateful that You were obedient to the Father, coming into this world purposely to save us! Oh, how humbling when we really chew on that! Dying for us while yet we were Your enemies! Thank you so much for being willing to exchange Your righteousness for our sin. That You who knew no sin became sin on our behalf, so we sinners might become the righteousness of God. Oh thank you, thank you! In Your blessed name sweet Jesus we pray. Amen!
I thank you for continuing on this journey, submitting to God, and pursuing Truth! You will never, ever be sorry!
Next: we will continue to LOOK at verse 8 to understand the cleansing and purification that is necessary to draw near to God.
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