There are some implications to this submission. By placing ourselves underneath the authority and rule of God, this also means that you and I are to be a servant of all! In submission to God we are to live in humility, humility that demands that we place ourselves in service to those around us. In humility we are to serve our friends, fellow employees at work, our family and stranger with all that we have. This is especially true in how we speak of others. We are called to put the best construction on others for when we speak evil of another person we are showing a lack of love and a lack of humility. When we speak evil of another, this is portraying an attitude that says that we are equal to God’s position of authority.
So, my friends, how are you doing with this? How are you doing at submitting to God, walking in humility, and denying yourself? Are you 50% there, maybe 60% there? Also, how has your consistency been? Keep in mind that James calls for complete submission. He is not watering this submission idea down. There is no room for mediocrity. So how are you doing?… Therefore, hear the Gospel. You and I who … fail to submit to God have been forgiven by the Christ, who submitted perfectly to the Father on our behalf. You and I are forgiven by a Savior who submitted Himself to the penalty of sin which is death on a cross.
So, my friends, how are you doing with this? How are you doing at submitting to God, walking in humility, and denying yourself? Are you 50% there, maybe 60% there? Also, how has your consistency been? Keep in mind that James calls for complete submission. He is not watering this submission idea down. There is no room for mediocrity. So how are you doing?… Therefore, hear the Gospel. You and I who … fail to submit to God have been forgiven by the Christ, who submitted perfectly to the Father on our behalf. You and I are forgiven by a Savior who submitted Himself to the penalty of sin which is death on a cross.
Matt Richard, Sermon on James 4:7-5:6
No comments:
Post a Comment