Some ramblings from my exegetical study of James 4:1-10

There aren't too many things that make me feel better than having a final paper written and done. I'm telling you what! James 4:1-10 is an incredible passage. If you haven't ever read it, do so know. I'll wait for you....
There is so much power present there. For those that don't have their Bible handy, I'll tell you that, in short, James tells his people that they are fighting because they have been blindly following their own desires and passions. They have been playing games with God. They are trying to live exactly like they did before they were saved, only know they were trying to "Christianize" the very things that they had been delivered from.
James tells them trying to be friends with the world and friends with God won't work. To be a friend of the world is to be an enemy with God. By the way, a friend of the world is really another way of saying that a person is acting like they never were saved in the first place. James gets pretty rough with the people - he calls them adulteresses. This tough love continues but then in true pastoral fashion, he explains how they can get straight with God. He actually lists 10 things to do. The most important things for them and for us - for me to do are to submit to God, to draw close to God and to humble yourself before him. These things are easier said than done.
I know that I always had a problem with that submission issue. I'm a man. who wants to submit when you don't have to, I thought. I was really missing the point. Submission is NOT - repeat - NOT a sign of weakness. It's a sign that you are mature and secure in your faith. It's admitting that you know that you don't have everything all figured out in your life.
I know that I never started to REALLY LIVE until I submitted my life and career to God. It was at that point that I began to wake up. My faith had always been weak and much like a rollercoaster, I always up and down... yo-yo Christianity is a weak substitute for the real thing.
I was truly, as James writes, double-minded. I was trying to live with the best of both worlds. However, Jesus says that no one can serve two masters. You will leave one for the other. Invariably, if you try to take just a bit if God with the rest of your life, that little bit of God will become less and less. There is a reason for that. God won't share you. He doesn't have to. God is not going to FORCE you to do anything. He loves you enough to allow you to make up your mind. Why not? Think about this. What kind of love would you rather have from your significant other? Coerced or genuine voluntary love? The answer is a slam-dunk! God wants your heart, your life free and clear. That is why he sent his only Son to die for you and claim you.
One step further, Jesus wants your life totally. So many of us - myself included - have always lived our lives with the adage of "Can I still do ___ and still be a Christian?" Fill in the blank with what you want. I am telling you that question is backwards. As a Christian, our minds need to be set upon God, not us. If not, we are being double-minded and are enemies of God. This passage in James is directed to CHRISTIANS!
Our lives must be lived in another way. "How is doing ___ going to bring me closer to God?" That must be our primary line of thinking. I am not saying that we should gather up our belongings, give them up and go join a monastery. We are called to live in the world. That said, we can't forget the rest of the verse here. We are also called to not be OF the world. That is not popular to say. we want to do whatever we feel like doing and still believe that we have God's blessing. I will tell you this. Being a Christian is NOT easy. It is never promised that we will have an easy, healthy and wealthy existence here on earth.
Jesus tells that in this life, we WILL have troubles. If we are to share in his glory, we must also share in his SUFFERINGS. That is NOT popular stuff to say right now. But guess what? It is what the Bible says. we aren't promised the biggest and best things NOW. We are promised that Christ will never leave nor forsake us. God IS NOT our cosmic bell-hop.
Sorry, but when Jesus says that we have not because we ask not, he is NOT referring to that BMW535 that we have our eye on. He is referring to spiritual wisdom and authority. He is referring to that which is of the Father's will for your life. Our life can't be lived in the pursuit of material things. If they come in the course of your OBEDIENCE to the Lord, then great. But always remember one thing. It is NOT yours. We are bought at a price - a high price. The one who never knew sin took our sin upon himself and paid for it IN FULL. All that we must do to receive this gift is to receive it and live it.
This is the message of James 4:1-10. I urge you, draw close to God. He promises that if we do that, he WILL draw close to us. When that happens, get ready for the ride of your life!