Redeemed Woman

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. 

James 4:8a (ESV)

We get invites to dinner parties, to important celebrations and to share experiences with those we love. James 4:8 gives us this most amazing invitation to “draw near to God”.

I will be sharing my meditations from James 4:8, a verse that speaks so ever profoundly to those who will take the time to dwell deeply on the words. My prayer is that you will be encouraged to draw near to God.

“Draw near to God…”: a personal invitation

Imagine getting invited to dinner by a dinner guest, not the actual host of the dinner. My first instinct is to decline because the host of the dinner did not personally invite me. Even if I accepted this “invite”, I would feel out of place because I wasn’t invited by the actual host of the dinner. In the same way, if it was James alone who was inviting us to draw near to God, we’d think it was unreal or impossible. But, let us not forget Who is inviting us near. Since these words were inspired by the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead (1 Corinthians 2:11-12; 2 Peter 1:20-21), it is God Himself inviting us to draw near Him. What comfort in this personal invitation!

“draw near to god…”: a humbling invitation

As God warned Moses and Aaron on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:10-25) Who it was they were drawing near, James warns us here in his letter. Following closely after this invitation to draw near to God are the specific instructions to “cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8b).” We must never draw near to Him pridefully, carelessly, or casually less we get consumed (Hebrews 12:28-29). He is holy, and we must revere Him deeply in our hearts far above all else. Humbleness is a required characteristic of anyone drawing near to God (James 4:6).

“draw near to god…”: a separating invitation

To draw near to God is more than lip service or just doing religious things (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 6:5-8; Matthew 23:25-28). To draw near to God requires holiness (Psalm 24:3-4; Matthew 5:8; Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 12:14).

The nearer to God we draw, the more and more we realize the sinfulness of our sin and the impurities in our hearts and minds to the point of mourning and weeping (Matthew 5:3-9; James 4:9). The more and more we realize the sinfulness of our sin, the more and more we cling onto His grace which He gives to those who humble themselves before Him (James 4:6). By His mercy, repentance becomes a daily prayer of the Christian (Psalm 51:2, 7; Matthew 6:11-12; James 4:10). Our wretchedness directs our eyes to the only hope we have, Jesus the Savior (Matthew 9:12-13; Romans 7:24-25; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Hebrews 12:2). And, we find ourselves deep in the grace of the LORD and comforted at the throne of grace. Hence, drawing near to God will separate us from our own sinful passions (James 4:2-3), separate us from the world (James 4:4-5), and separate us from Satan (James 4:7).

“…and he will draw near to you.”: A promised personal response

Does God seem far away? Where are you right now? Are you in the midst of trials? God will draw near to you if you would draw near to Him. Are you in the darkness of your own doubts and fears? God will meet you there if you will draw near to Him. Maybe you are doing well, and life is good…oh, how much better life would be for you to have God near if you would draw near to Him! This is His promised personal response to meet us where we are if we would only draw near to Him.

“…and he will draw near to you.”: a response full of grace and mercy

What amazing grace it is that God would draw Himself near us when we humble ourselves before Him and draw near to His feet (James 4:10)! We do not deserve such a response to have the holy God near us, but here He is promising to do just that. A holy God drawing near a sinful soul is made possible through the cross of Jesus, “for from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). James 4:6 says that God “gives more grace” to those who humbly draw near to Him. It is in this very grace where we find our refuge in the LORD (Psalm 2:11-12; Psalm 73:27-28).

“…and he will draw near to you.”: A sancitifying response

God draws near to exalt the one who comes humbly before Him (James 4:10; Matthew 23:12). He draws near to those who draw near Him to lift them up from their shame, their guilt, their scars, their sins (Psalm 75:6-7). He draws near to do His sanctifying work in their hearts and minds (Psalm 51:2, 7). The instruction in James 4:8 may seem as though one can cleanse her own hands and purify her own heart but do not be mistaken. We are to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts by being “wretched and mourn and weep” (Matthew 5:3-6; James 4:9); in other words, repent. God graciously granting us repentance sets our course for sanctification (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).

conclusion

We must not neglect the reason for James’ confidence in being the messenger of this invitation, an invitation for us sinners to draw near to God: GRACE (James 4:6). Grace can only be summed up in the person of Jesus Christ. It is only through faith in the work of Jesus on the cross where we can mourn and weep over our sins in repentance before a holy God, and at the same time be comforted and covered by the righteousness of God. As our flesh melt away in the holy presence of God because of our sin, His grace strengthens our spirits and lifts us up. This grace teaches us a better way to righteous living and frees us to do so by His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24; Titus 2:11-12; James 2:12). This is drawing near to God (James 4:7).

Our God and Father, forgive us our sinful thoughts, intentions, and actions. From the fullness of Jesus Christ, we draw near You as Your redeemed daughters. We anticipate Your drawing near to us. May the meditations of our hearts and our thoughts be pleasing to You, O God. Show us Your ways and lift our burdens!