Bible Study October 11, 2023
James 4:8 (ESV)
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
What do we hold on to that is so very important in this life? I read a story of a little boy who got his hand stuck in a valuable vase one day. No matter how hard he tied he could not free it. His dad told him “to open his hand and hold his fingers out straight as you see me doing then pull.”
His response was “I can’t do that daddy I’ll drop my penny.” How many of us hold onto things like that penny and lose something more valuable? James told us to draw near to God and He will draw close to us. We have to be willing to be drawn. That means He will come to us. We should not let something so small as a penny keep us from God.
The second part of the verse is equally important. Who cleanses our hands? It is us who have the hands. Who purifies our heart? Again it is the one with the heart. Who is the double-minded again the one with the mind.
Too often we wait for God to do everything when we should be making a move toward God. This verse outlines the way we are to do it. What is holding you back? Maybe nothing for many people all things are good with the relationship with the Father.
If there is something surrender it give it away give it to God.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 