By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide

The Benefits Of Adoration (Cont)
They genuinely take pleasure in God and His beauty, and pattern their lives according to His Word. What motivates their actions is love for God and His Word. As they draw life from God, they live fruit-bearing lives (v.3)

“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Ps 1:3)

“The rivers of water.” The outcome of those who faithfully seek God and His Word is life in the Spirit. Since water often represents the Spirit of God (e.g. John 7:38-39), those who are instructed by God and who abide in His word will receive an unfailing source of life from the spirit. The phrase ‘whatever he does shall prosper” does not mean that problems or failure will never occur, but rather that a godly person will know God’s will and favour (see 3 John 2).

(5.3) Holiness is not something achieved, but something that is received

Read James 4:6-8: “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

“More grace.” While God opposes the proud, He increases grace to the humble. James gives five steps here for obtaining “more grace” (v.6a): (1) “Submit yourselves … to God” (v.7a); (2) “Resist the devil” (v.7b) in whatever form he appears (v.7b); (3) “Draw near to God” (v.8a) in worship, praise and thanksgiving, prayer and fasting, and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and the Word;

(4) “Cleanse your hands” (v. 8b) by confessing sin and getting your outward life right before God; and (5) “Purify your hearts (v. 8c) by letting God cleanse your inner life and thoughts. Posturing ourselves before God in these five ways as the pattern of our lives will enable us to experience the greater grace resulting in a life of full victory (over the sinful nature, Satan and the world) and fruitfulness for God.

4:7-10 How can you draw near to God? James gives five ways: (1) “Submit to God” (4:7). Yield to his authority and will, commit your life to him and his control, and be willing to follow him. (2) “Resist the devil” (4:7). Don’t allow Satan to entice and tempt you.

(3) “Cleanse your hands … purify your hearts” (that is, lead a pure life) (4:8). Be cleansed from sin, replacing your desire to sin with your desire to experience God’s purity. (4) “Lament and mourn and weep” in sincere sorrow for your sins (4:9).

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