GRINDIT podcast Randall Tucker

Many people take what James says out of context and say we shouldn’t make plans and set goals but that is not what James is saying at all! The context of this passage is how people think they are in control, they have stepped in God’s role thinking they have power to control people and situations when we actually have nothing. It is good to make plans but the bottom line is, if God didn’t allow to carry out those plans, we couldn’t. Therefore, it is God who is in control, not us; He sees the heart and the true motives of a person, not us, therefore God is the only One qualified to be Judge...not us. What we can control is how we respond to the law, or how God wants us to live. We can only control us, what we listen to, what we allow in, how we respond to people and things. So, worry about what you can control and that is YOU! Allow God to take care of everything else.

We revisit some strong language James used for his readers when he calls them, "Adulterers" and he tells them if they continue to be a friend with the world, then they are enemies of God. They, as well as we, cannot have it both ways. We are called to be holy, we have been washed in the blood of Christ, our sins have been forgiven, and we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Why then do we continue to live in sin? James says we are committing adultery and we need turn from our sin, draw near to God, He will draw near to us; that we should let our laughter turn to sadness, that we should have tears because of our sin, and our joy turn to gloom. The problem is, we are like Israel in Jeremiah 2! They couldn't admit they were in sin and their hearts had become callused! God even tells Israel they are worse than a prostitute and that they can teach a prostitute lessons. We have to realize who we are in Christ and live like it!

Why do continue to sin after we are washed in the blood of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit? Because we have a choice: we can choose to continue to live for God and what He desires, drawing near to Him, or we can choose to give into fleshly desires, give into temptation that separates us from God. It takes humility and self-discipline to follow God and to do what He desires for us and far too often, we fall short and allow temptation to win out and we give into sin that separates us from God. It’s a daily struggle and the struggle is real. Paul even wrestled with it claiming he was the chief of all sinners. But we have help because God has given us His Spirit as a helper and He promises us that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle and He also promises a way of escape. We have to make the right choice: flee from sin and run to God!

James has been writing his letter to confront the followers of Jesus who have been scattered abroad because of persecution to quit sinning. He is trying to get these believers to realize who they are in Christ and who lives inside them, God’s Spirit, therefore, they need to live like it! Their problem is they are trying to live for Jesus while living for the world too! Instead of doing what God desires, they are giving in to fleshly desires, which is sin, and they don’t even show any remorse for their choices. James tells them to do a heart check and get back where they belong...separated from the world and close to God!

Before breaking down James 4, we interview James Seiler, pastor of Authentic Church, 322 Lindsay Street, Alcoa, TN....where we worship! Come see at 10am on Sundays!

A trickle a day won't grow a plant. It must be watered daily. Why do we think we can have a relationship with God with just a trickle here and there? We have to be in the word, praying, communicating with God every day, several times a day! What kind of relationship would yo have with your spouse or friend if there was barely any communication? Jesus desires to have an intimate relationship with us, to spend quality time with us and if we want to grow our faith, we must spend time with him, communicating regularly with him!