Urgent!

Urgent!

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 NIV

Today's charge speaks to all of us; or at least it addresses our foundations and seeks to take us back to where we should. James had earlier spoken about pride, adultery and double-mindedness, and now, he was speaking to specific people. Who were these people?

First, if you do not know you need help, you cannot really be helped. If God stretches his arms to me but I do not lift your arms to be carried, how can I turn around and blame God for ignoring me? If I do not respond to God's invitation, how can I turn around and blame Him when my life doesn't make the impact it was formed to make? 

Secondly, the invitation is to make the approach: come near to God. I am not asked to bring a price or to offer blood. I am asked to just come. God promises to come near to all who make the approach, but then it gets really simple: if I will make the approach, there is a small price to pay: making a clean break with the life of sin. That is the minimim requirement for getting God to do what He has promised to do. He will take me as I am, but He will clean me up before sending me back into the world to make impact. If He does not reign in me, he cannot fully trust or use me. 

Sinners are asked to wash their hands, not with soap and water, but in the cleansing blood of Jesus. The double-minded are asked to purify their hearts, not with cleansing agents, but with the purifying power in the Word of God. Sin is a reproach; being of double mind is a hindrance to what God can do in any life.  Both will not allow God do what He is able to do with a life that is totally surrendered to Him. Where do you stand? Are you washed in the blood, or are your hands your greatest hindrance? Have you made up your mind what your priorities will be going forward? Eternity awaits your decision. His time of favour is here.