I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT? (part-36)

I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT?

EVIL PRACTICES
James says that when two of the examples of being friends with the world
(envy and selfish ambition) are present, they open the door to many other
problems.
    For where you have envy and selfish ambition,
    there you find disorder and every evil practice
    (James 3:16)

Notice he said ‘disorder’ and ‘every evil practice’ accompanies envy and
selfish ambition. He makes it clear that the presence of one or two worldly
practices can lead to many more. If you know a person who is envious or
selfish, you have probably noticed other issues with them as well.

Whenever our friends start having selfish desires, we can notice a change
in their overall character. As we mature spiritually, the change becomes
even more profound. We may be blind to the issues of a close friend, but
spiritual maturity can open our eyes to the changes in their character.

COVETOUSNESS AND SELFISHNESS
James tell us that covetousness and selfishness lead to arguments, fights,
and even murder (all are indications of friendliness with the world).
    What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they
    come from your desires that battle within you? You desire
    but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get
    what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have
    because you do not ask God.
    (James 4:1-2)

We have seen these acts of contention whenever someone is consumed
with selfish desires. They may try to hide it or cover it up, but most
people can see someone’s selfishness, even though they may not say
anything to them about it.

Many selfish people are only fooling themselves. They consider themselves
good people because they do not commit the obvious sins, however they
may not realize that their friendliness with the world is reflected in their
attitudes and actions – the kind of actions and attitudes that are not
pleasing to God and can be categorized as sins.

GOD’S JEALOUSY
God gives believers the Holy Spirit to serve many purposes for our good.
He serves as our guide, our advisor, our comforter, our protector, our
encourager and our helper in communicating with God. God has a stronger
desire to communicate with us than we have to communicate with Him. This
is an area where the Holy Spirit can assist us. Whenever we are burdened
and cannot find the words to pray, He intercedes for us.

Now, put yourself in God’s position. Think of how you would feel if you
wanted a relationship with someone, but they didn’t have the same desire
to fellowship with you. Whenever we fellowship with the world and give it
the love that belongs to God, we damage our communication with Him.
When we jeopardize our close relationship with Him, He becomes jealous
of what the world is stealing from Him.
    Or do you think Scripture says without reason
    that he jealously longs for the spirit he has
    caused to dwell in us?
    (James 4:5)

GOD’S GRACE / HUMILITY
God is full of grace. He wants to saturate us with it,
but we have some requirements for receiving His gift of grace.
    But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture
    says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to
    the humble.”
    (James 4:6)

First of all, since God does not like arrogant pride, we need to become
humble. According to this scripture, it appears He withholds His grace
from those who are too proud of who they are, too proud of what they
can do, and too proud of what they own.

Certain attitudes and behaviors are categorized as detestable to God
and the first thing that is mentioned is pride (referred to as a proud
look); not pride in doing a good job, but arrogant pride.
    These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are
    an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying
    tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart
    that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in
    running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies,
    and one who sows discord among brethren.
    (Proverbs 6:16-19)

If you have been struggling to feel God’s blessings in your life,
then humbly pray and ask the Lord to reveal any hidden areas
of pride in your life. We see in His Word that He pours out
special blessings on those with humility. Does that imply that
God shows favoritism? No it doesn’t. He offers the same ‘favor’
to all who are humble.

Secondly, we need to ask for His grace. God knows our needs just
as we know our children’s needs, but there is just something special
about making requests for what we want. Think about when you are
watching a child struggling with some task. You want to let him try
it on his own, but you know that if he asks, you can show him how
to do it much faster and easier.

God knows the easier way for us to live our lives and wants us to ask
Him for His grace. Unfortunately, many of us go through life without
asking, but trying to ‘make it on our own’. Why? More than likely it
is due to pride. It is a humbling experience to ask the Lord for His
help. It means admitting that we do not have it all together.

Many fail to receive God’s grace because they aren’t looking for it. They
think they have life under control, and do not sense the need for God and
His grace. This is why it is important for us to read and meditate on God’s
Word. The bible has answers to many of the issues we face, but we have to
read it if we expect to see and understand the solutions.

When we fail to find a solution to a specific problem, more than likely
we need to make some changes in our attitude and focus. The bible
teaches us how to live, but we have to make a conscious effort to
apply its instructions to our lives.

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