Nougat 13

Sometimes we are charged with breaking spiritual laws, and feel somewhat unprepared to get out of the sin-habit. Today’s Holy Nougat offers some guidelines.

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“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” ‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Draw Closer to God

James is unapologetic in pointing out our divided loyalties. And rightly so. This is a concept that is rooted in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:24 clearly states ‘No one can serve two matters, for either He will hate one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’ As we can see, Jesus was equally uncompromising.

Aside from yesterday’s example of Rachel’s idols, we find this principle at play in relationships, with employment and most situations where two like beings (entities) are pitted against each other. Some of us have mastered the art of being subtle when playing favorites, but this does not work in matters of the spirit. For there, we are obliged to choose: – the way of God, or the way of the prince of this world.

That was the challenge out to the Children of Israel at the end of Joshua’s career … choose the one to whom you will be loyal … it’s an age-old struggle. And it was also introduced by Jannes at the beginning of the epistle. There he stated that a double-minded person is ‘unstable’ in their ways. Strong’s commentary indicates that a double-minded person is one with sharp differences in personality, schizophrenic or two-Souled; and unstable refers to almost anarchic behavior. That’s the potential impact of idolatry on our lives. We can undergo almost a shift in personality (as an effect of the idol), or our loyalties are divided, with the likelihood of being anarchistic.

But James offers us a way out. We can overcome idolatry. He passionately invites us to draw close to God. And the invitation comes with a guarantee: in turn, God draws closer to us. That’s truly ensuring that we can remain close to God. Of course, as part of our integrity maintenance, we’re called to wash our hands (off our sinful ways), and purify our hearts. That can only accomplished by confession and repentance. In short, we voluntarily tell Jesus of the idols because we are ready to forfeit them.

What better time than now to invite Jesus to reveal any remaining idols and to root them out. Lord, it is a full surrender. Remove any idol, any thoughts that would seek to turn us away from You or lead us to anarchy. Please take full control of our lives we pray, in Jesus name amen

(Note the verse that speaks to idols)

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May all we seek be found in Christ