Digging Deeper James 4:8-9

It has been very interesting to me over the past few weeks - our Pastors have been preaching through the book of James, and two other people have approached me to share recent sermons or readings they came across on the book of James. It seems like God is trying to tell ME something, if nothing else. I have been tempted to go back and write on portions of James that I have already covered, and perhaps someday soon I will.

James 4:8-9
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Commentary
"Draw near. Pursue an intimate love relationship with God. The concept of drawing near to God was associated originally with the Levitical priests... but eventually came to describe anyone's approach to God....Salvation involves more than submitting to God and resisting the devil; the redeemed heart longs for communion with God...Cleanse your hands. The OT priests had to ceremonially wash their hands before approaching God..., and sinners (a term used only for unbelievers...) who would approach Him must recognize and confess their sin. Purify your hearts. Cleansing the hands symbolizes eternal behavior; this phrase refers to the inner thoughts, motives, and desires of the heart... "[The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur pg 1893-1894]

"Cleanse and purify are OT terms for ritual purity ...and ethical purity. Laughter shows how casually James's readers were treating their sin. The only proper reaction to God's impending judgment is to be wretched and mourn and weep, as is seen often in the OT..." [ESV Study Bible, study notes pg 2397]

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.