Transformed By Truth: "every Person Is As Close To God As They Want To Be" James 4:8 Series

Transformed by Truth: "Every Person is as Close to God as They Want to Be" James 4:8

Introduction

Today, we explore a profound truth: "Every person is as close to God as they want to be." This statement challenges us to reflect on our personal relationship with God. Our main text today is James 4:8 (NLT): "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."

Point 1: Drawing Near to God

James 4:8 (NLT): "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 addresses believers, urging them to draw near to God. The Greek word for "come close" is "??????" (engizo), which means to approach or draw near. This is a call to intimate fellowship with God.

James emphasizes the reciprocal nature of our relationship with God. When we take steps towards Him, He responds by drawing closer to us. This verse also highlights the need for repentance and purity, symbolized by washing hands and purifying hearts.

Evaluate your daily walk with God. Are you taking intentional steps to draw nearer to Him? This may involve prayer, reading the Bible, or worship. As you do, you will experience His presence more profoundly.

Psalm 145:18 (NLT): "The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth."

This verse reassures us that God is near to those who earnestly seek Him in truth.

Commit to seeking God sincerely and truthfully. Make calling upon Him a daily practice.

A.W. Tozer once said, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One."

Point 2: The Barrier of Sin

Isaiah 59:2 (NLT): "It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore."

Isaiah addresses the people of Israel, pointing out that their sins have created a separation between them and God. The Hebrew word for "cut off" is "???" (badal), meaning to divide or separate.

Sin acts as a barrier that prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God's presence. It is not that God moves away from us, but our sins create a chasm that disrupts our fellowship with Him.

Identify and confess the sins that may be hindering your relationship with God. Seek His forgiveness and strive to live a life that pleases Him.

1 John 1:9 (NLT): "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."

God's faithfulness and justice assure us of forgiveness when we confess our sins.

Regularly practice confession and repentance. Allow God to cleanse you and restore your fellowship with Him.

Think of sin as static on a radio. It interferes with the clarity of God's voice. Confession and repentance tune us back into His frequency.

Point 3: The Role of Desire and Effort

Philippians 3:10 (NLT): "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death."

Paul expresses his deep desire to know Christ intimately. The Greek word for "know" is "????s??" (ginosko), implying an experiential and relational knowledge.

Paul's desire to know Christ goes beyond mere intellectual understanding; it is a yearning for deep, personal, and transformative relationship. This involves both the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

Cultivate a strong desire to know Christ more intimately. This requires effort, discipline, and sometimes enduring hardships for the sake of deeper fellowship with Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT): "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."

God promises to be found by those who seek Him with all their hearts.

Pursue God with wholehearted devotion. Make knowing Him your highest priority.

Oswald Chambers wrote, "The greatest answer to prayer is that I am brought into a perfect understanding with God, and that alters my view of actual things."

Conclusion:

We've explored how we can be as close to God as we want to be by drawing near to Him, addressing the barrier of sin, and cultivating a deep desire to know Him.

Call to Action:

Reflect on your current relationship with God. What steps can you take today to draw closer to Him? Confess any sins that may be hindering your fellowship, and pursue Him with all your heart.

Application:

Remember, God is always ready to draw near to you. Take intentional steps towards Him, and you will experience the joy and peace of His presence in your life.

May God bless you as you seek to draw closer to Him. Amen.