This week we learned that James is really the New Testament’s version of the Old Testament prophets. He is going to say what he has to say, he’s not going to put it nicely, and he certainly is not afraid of who he is going to make angry while doing it. James’ unbelievably strong words confronted us once again this week as he berated his audience for being double-minded, covetous, adulterers who choose to buddy up to the ideals, values, and powers of a broken human society instead of befriending the ways of God. James points out to his readers that God is the jealous type; He does not want his followers to be straddling the fence, dabbling in a little worldliness while trying to to put on a front of godliness. God wants commitment! He wants you, the whole you, and every little bit of love and energy that is in you!
So, we’ve been selfish. We’ve been striving for temporal, fleeting things and ideas that don’t quite match up with God’s Kingdom. We’ve been cheating on God. What can we do? Let’s let the harsh, abrasive, beautiful words James sum it up:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (4:7-10. NIV)
As we journey through Lent, let these words wash over us: Submit. Come near. Purify. Change. Humble. Mourn.
But that is not the end. As we surrender ourselves to our Lord, let’s remember that our journey does not end in gloom, but in joy. Our mourning will change to dancing, our wailing to beautiful song. God, lift us up.
