A Closer Walk

A Devotional Study on James 4:8

There is an old church saying "we're as close to God as we want to be but we're not as close as we need to be." Both to me are true and I never want to feel that I'm as close to God as I need to be. I constantly want to have a closer walk with him. Each morning the Holy Ghost compels me to a closer walk with my creator. It's only by his presence and power that I'm able to yield to his prompting.

1. Our Condition Before Christ Romans 3:10-12 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 2. God's Initiative and Our Response God gives all souls a measure of faith to believe. Without the drawing of the Holy Spirit none would seek after God. John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. This is where faith becomes desire and our response is as the psalmist: Psalm 119:41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word. 3. Salvation and Spiritual Renewal The next operation of the Holy Ghost is conviction of sin. Here is our opportunity to draw closer to God not through obedience but desire. David understood this when he cried for mercy in Psalm 51: 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. This is not only a recipe for salvation it is also how we please God in our salvation.

4. Our Daily Walk and Communion Our sin nature is ever present and yes our faith in Jesus Christ puts us in a right relation with a Holy God. The grace of Jesus Christ is not a license to sin. If we use it as such we lose that personal communion with him. Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, Because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. The amplified puts it this way: Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].