January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
time to grow up series on james chapter 4:
Ask with right motive to gain God's gifts
As we continue our study in the book of James we are going to look at this question and why many cannot shake the vicious cycle of disappointment caused from prayers that do not get answered. As you read this you may find yourself being pulled into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Let's look at the entire passage ...
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:1-3
James is writing to Christians! Although Christians should not be characterized by bickering and fighting, James tells us that fights and quarrels can exist among us because we are all at war within. We want something, but cannot get it. So what do we do? We "kill" and "covet", but still end up dry. Note that "killing" here does not actually mean to commit murder. Remember that Jesus said if we hate our brother in our heart, we have already committed murder. James' point is that when we desperately want something we can hate the one who has it and covet. Our life fills with a sense of hate and dissatisfaction and we move away from a state of submission to God and His plan for us as anger, arguments and manipulation creep in.
This passage continues, "You do not have, because you do not ask God." Imagine all the spiritual and material things that we miss out on because we do not ask God!
I remember hearing a fictional story about a man who died and went to heaven. Although he was a believer, he did very little with his faith. As these stories go, when he got to heaven, he was met by Peter, who gave him a tour of his new home. On the way to his mansion he was taken to a room that had his initials on it. As he entered it was truly a 'blast from the past'. This room contained various objects that reminded him of his past as well as so many fine treasures and things that he liked.
He asked Peter, "What is all this?" Peter answered, "These are your rewards from living a committed life to Christ in your earlier years." As his eyes slowly covered these unique treasures his smile broadened. They left the room, walked down a hall and nearly passed another door that bore his initials.
He stopped Peter and called him back, as he had moved on, and asked if they could enter that room too. "If you wish", Peter
responded unenthusiastically. As the door opened, the curious man could not help but notice that this room was four times larger than the first and the treasures contained made the others look like a prize from a McDonald's Happy Meal! The room had material things and a large chest of health, peace, joy, eternal impact... and the list continued. "What is this? Who does this belong to?" the man asked. Peter looked away, fixing his eyes on all the treasures and replied, "This is what you could have had, but you did not ask."
It is a sad commentary. Regrettably many Christians will find themselves losing out on rewards that God so desperately wants to give them. Why? Because they just don't see their need to call on God for help. Instead they are too busy trying to manage their lives themselves. Lives today are like the lives of God's people in the days of Jeremiah....
"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." Jeremiah 2:13.
Let's return to James' passage. Perhaps you've asked God for help, but you have not received it. Why? Because you ask with wrong motives the Word of God says.
Motives are so important in the Christian life. It's not just why we sing in the choir, or join the dance ministry, or teach that class, or decide to pray in front of church, it's why? If our heart's desire is to feel important or to be respected or noticed, your efforts will not survive Jesus Christ's appraisal of your life. You will be saved, but you will suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3). Therefore, we may not receive from God what we so desperately want because we only want it to spend it on our own pleasures, rather than God's purposes. God knows that if He gives you what you want, you will surely turn your back on Him.
What is it that you want, but have not been asking God for? And what is it that you have been asking God for, but He has not responded? Make sure you ask, but make sure your motive is right. Fighting can stop, peace can reign, God can hear and He will move in His time. Why don't you trust him and see what He can do. Give Him a chance to bless you beyond your wildest imaginations....
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20,21.
Pastor Gary C. Simons serves as the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, 82
[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.