The Book of James Week Four Lesson Four

“Come Close”

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” James 4:8-10

How does a person get close to God? I have felt like I am light years away from Him at times. Many people have felt this way at one time or another. James addresses this topic of being near to God, enveloped in His presence. It’s a wonderful place to be. I want to be near to the heart of God. Do you?

Read James 4:8a. What do we have to do in order for God to come close to us? Why do you think this is important?

When we step closer to God, we are immediately in His presence. It’s an act of faith. Being away from God means to be turned in the opposite direction in relationship to Him. God doesn’t change positions. In order for a person to draw near to God, they must turn from the direction they are going. This simple act of faith, turning our full attention to Him and denying all else, brings us into His presence. 

Read Acts 3:19-20. What does the Apostle Peter tell us to do? What is the result?

In order to come close to God we must turn from and repent of (confess and let go) our sins (actions that go against the holiness of God). This act of turning is essential to being close to God. If a person is feeling far from God, it may be that there is unconfessed sin that is drawing them away from God’s presence. 

Read James 4:8b. What is the next step in coming close to God?

Did your mom tell you over and over to make sure you washed your hands? She had reason to. We do most things with our hands and come in contact with bacteria and viruses that can make us sick. In order to wash our hands we have to let go of the things we are holding in order to pick up the soap, scrub and wash. The same holds true of sin. If we are holding on to bitterness and hatred, we have to let go and turn to the only One who can make us clean. Jesus washes us and makes us presentable to God. 

After letting go and washing our spiritual hands, we now purify. This means a deep cleaning is in order. The Holy Spirit gets rid of the deep down residue that is caused by the actions of our disobedience towards sin. Depending how long we have resided in our sin, determines the length of the purification process. This takes a willing spirit within the person. We have to want to be whole. Even though we have the promise of eternal life, sometimes the process of coming out of sin takes time. For instance, if a person is involved in drugs it takes time to get out of the habit of doing drugs. Sometimes it is instantaneous, other times it takes longer. Whatever the time frame, the Holy Spirit does the purification, deep cleaning, that is required. Each person has to allow this process to take place in order to live a full spiritual life. Our salvation is complete when we accept Jesus, but the healing may take time, depending on our willingness to submit to Him.

Read James 4:9. Why do you think James includes mourning and grieving in the process?

When we come to God’s throne we must repent and feel sorry for living in sin. In death we all grieve. Repentance causes the death of ourselves to sin. Our old lives are dead, but we are then made new and alive in Christ Jesus. Sorrow and mourning are all a part of the turning away from sin and then coming closer to the Holy One.

Read James 4:10. How does a person humble themselves before God? Why?

What will the Lord do when we humble ourselves?

When we repent and accept His forgiveness, the barrier that kept us from His presence is gone. Our Lord reaches down with His nail-scarred hands and draws us close to His sacred heart. Our mourning is turned to pure delight as we dwell in His holy presence. 

Can you picture it? Can you see Him laughing with you, reveling in pure joy? Tears are turned to joy. Mourning is now rejoicing. You are released from sin and live in His presence.

God isn’t light years away, He’s right behind us. All it takes is turning away from our way of doing things, humbling ourselves before Him by letting go of our sins, washing our hands and allowing Him to work in us to purify us by His Holy Spirit. “Come close to God and He will come close to you.” Dwell in the delight of His presence.

“The lowly He sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.” Job 5:11