Word@Work James37 - James 4:5-6
Published: Wed, 04/01/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE GRACIOUS JEALOUSY OF GOD
James 4:5-6 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to live in us longs jealously? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (NIV margin reference)
Is jealousy good or bad? To be jealous over something or someone that does not belong to you is bad: but it is right for a husband and wife to be jealous over each other. They belong together. It would be quite wrong for anyone to come between them and distract their love. In the same way, God is described in the ten commandments as a 'jealous God' (Ex 20:5). Deut 4:24 describes him as a 'consuming fire' - burning with jealous desire in love for His own people.
Although this passage has had various translations over time, the thrust of the context is: passion to have what God has not given is foolishly self-destructive (cf James 4:1-3); and rejecting the love He wants to give, is like adultery (cf James 4:4). However, Bible history and our own experience show how easily we get trapped by our own sinful nature, which is encouraged by friendship with the world, and giving in to the devil's temptations. So we really do need help.
God promises help to the humble (although He obstructs the way of the proud person). God's grace is amazing, we do not deserve it and we can never earn it or repay it. It is like all the good things that come to the much loved wife. On the other hand, pride struts independently and despises grace, like an adulterer.
Pride is very dangerous in the workplace. It resists God's loving grace, sneers at integrity, and spins a web from which it cannot escape - as the global finance crisis has proved. The humble are rarely seen in pole position, but by God's good grace they will complete all that God has set for them. So, today is a good day to call out to God in humble repentance and receive the grace He is longing to give you.
Prayer: Gracious God. I repent of my proud self-assertion that has struggled against Your hand. Help me humbly to accept Your love and authority over my life, that I may benefit from the grace You are longing to pour into me. May my renewed relationship with You also encourage my colleagues and family to seek Your grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Is jealousy good or bad? To be jealous over something or someone that does not belong to you is bad: but it is right for a husband and wife to be jealous over each other. They belong together. It would be quite wrong for anyone to come between them and distract their love. In the same way, God is described in the ten commandments as a 'jealous God' (Ex 20:5). Deut 4:24 describes him as a 'consuming fire' - burning with jealous desire in love for His own people.
Although this passage has had various translations over time, the thrust of the context is: passion to have what God has not given is foolishly self-destructive (cf James 4:1-3); and rejecting the love He wants to give, is like adultery (cf James 4:4). However, Bible history and our own experience show how easily we get trapped by our own sinful nature, which is encouraged by friendship with the world, and giving in to the devil's temptations. So we really do need help.
God promises help to the humble (although He obstructs the way of the proud person). God's grace is amazing, we do not deserve it and we can never earn it or repay it. It is like all the good things that come to the much loved wife. On the other hand, pride struts independently and despises grace, like an adulterer.
Pride is very dangerous in the workplace. It resists God's loving grace, sneers at integrity, and spins a web from which it cannot escape - as the global finance crisis has proved. The humble are rarely seen in pole position, but by God's good grace they will complete all that God has set for them. So, today is a good day to call out to God in humble repentance and receive the grace He is longing to give you.
Prayer: Gracious God. I repent of my proud self-assertion that has struggled against Your hand. Help me humbly to accept Your love and authority over my life, that I may benefit from the grace You are longing to pour into me. May my renewed relationship with You also encourage my colleagues and family to seek Your grace. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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