James 4:4-6 (The Message) You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care The proverb has it that”he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s a common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”
Here in our small northeastern Ghanaian village, we have lots of people who run around on motor cycles and motor scooters. But there’s a funny thing; many of these people seem to think that they are driving HUGE vehicles! They roar down our streets and byways, threatening to run over anybody who gets in their way. And even if they come to a junction and meet up with a big tipper truck (dump truck to you Americans), they still seem to think that they should have the right of way no matter what! Such behavior causes many of us to shake our heads. But do we try to do the same thing with God?
Many of us seem to want to go our own way, no matter the consequences. We want what we want when we want it, and we try to find ways to finagle to fulfill our desires. We want to parade as followers of God; but on the other hand, we also seem to feel that we deserve whatever we want, no matter whether or not our desire is a holy one.
God has a totally different view of this behavior; God sees all and knows all. When we behave in a manner that God cannot approve, we automatically make ourselves God’s enemies! Now, this is just as foolish as someone on a little motor scooter challenging a great big tipper truck for the right of way!
Jerry Bridges in “The Pursuit of Holiness” has this to say: God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, but He does require that we be serious about holiness, that we grieve over sin in our lives instead of justifying it, and that we earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.” God is a fiercely jealous Lover! He wants all of our loyalty, all of our dedication! When we run off in other directions, we grieve God and only hurt ourselves. Why should we refuse to accept guidance from the One who knows us better than we know ourselves and who loves us anyway?
We have a choice: either God will be Lord over our lives or we will. But we must remember when we demand to be our own gods, that “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Our way or God’s. Which will you choose?
PRAYER: Father God, we beg you for forgiveness! So many times we have run after our own desires and have tried to gloss them over with pious words. Lord, help us to change. Help us to whole – heartedly follow after you so that we will be able to receive your grace and will not find ourselves as your enemies. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.
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