There’s a second aspect of submission: James gives a command and a promise: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Before I comment on what this means, let me clarify what it does not mean. Don’t sit passively and wait for resolution in a conflict to happen spontaneously. (1 John 4:16) Love is the very nature of God, going beyond His feelings and emotions – as mind-blowing as these are. He satisfied God’s justice by dying in the place of sinners. If Satan attacks the godly Job, killing all of his children and taking away his possessions and health, it is only because God permitted Satan to do it. If He allows James to be beheaded, but Peter to escape, that’s God’s prerogative (Acts 12). 25:46), then we dare not fight it or reject it, even if it is not to our liking! To resolve conflicts, first submit to God. Cleanse your hands! When Isaiah had his vision of the Lord, he was undone—personally shattered—and immediately aware of his own sinfulness (Isa. While it would be out of line to see a demon behind every quarrel, it is also out of line and naïve to think that demons are never involved. All of our good works would never qualify us for heaven, because they cannot pay the debt of sin that we owe. He is love! 2 Chronicles 15:12-15 ESV / 454 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. But the issue with the trinity is not whether you understand it, but rather, is it clearly taught in Scripture? The proud Pharisee, who did not see his own need for forgiveness, had neither her tears nor her joy (Luke 7:36-50). His ways are much higher than our ways, and often run counter to our ways. I know Christians who don’t like the doctrine of God’s absolute sovereignty in choosing some, but not all, for salvation. To resolve conflicts, turn from all spiritual adultery and humbly entreat God’s grace (4:4-6). ), there are times when demons are directly involved in disrupting our relationships. Kent Hughes (James: Faith that Works [Crossway Books], p. 189) tells of an old preacher who was told that in one of his services a certain woman had gotten “joy in the Lord” (conversion). 3:1, 2; Rev. Or, they explain it away by saying that God foreknew who would choose Him, so He chose them. Your way of escape could be just a phone call away. We all tend to submit to the part of God’s person that we naturally like, but we either ignore or deliberately dodge the part of His person that we don’t care for. Of course, they must also skip many other texts, since the doctrine of God’s sovereign election is all through the Bible. Recognizing God’s Providence: Fellowship Restored (Gen. 45:1-28), 8. When you are truly repentant, you accept full responsibility for your sin. Keep in mind that the overall context is about resolving conflicts in the church (or home). 57:15; 66:2; Ezek. God always makes the first move toward us. Finally, the gentleman spoke up. While often Satan does not need to involve himself or his demonic forces in our conflicts (our flesh incites them without any extra help! Nobody has a problem with God’s great love, but many have a problem with His hatred of all sin and His absolute justice that demands that all unrepentant sinners be punished for eternity in hell. Using the same word in Romans 10:3, Paul asserts, “For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” In pride, fallen man wants to set up his own righteousness as good enough, but it falls far short of God’s absolute righteousness. Why is an angry or bitter person necessarily distant from God? Conflict with God is often behind conflicts with others. The Truth About Reconciliation, Pt. When our ways please Him, then we have a foundation for resolving conflicts with others (Prov. 4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. Verses 20, 21. And we see our vileness in God’s majesty…. 5:5); of mutual submission of husbands and wives to one another, and of wives to husbands, in marriage (Eph. If we want true and lasting peace in our relationships, then we need to resolve conflicts God’s way. 34:18; 51:17; Prov. I once talked with a Jehovah’s Witness woman who came to my door. Unbelievers are unable to submit to God’s law, because they are unwilling to do so. You can fight against God for the difficult things that happen, or you can humble yourself under His mighty hand, casting all your anxiety upon Him (1 Pet. 4:31; 1 John 4:20. But, as we saw last week, they had become friends with the world. At the heart of worldliness is finding joy and pleasure in things other than God, or while disregarding and disobeying God. 2: Trust Must Be Earned (Gen. 42:29-44:34). That will kill the other. Handed down. Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? It is to these types that James shouts, “Be miserable and mourn and weep!”. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2005, All Rights Reserved. He knew Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. There are many such trials that we will never in this life fully understand God’s reason for them. Today we come to the third section, where James says…. Psalm 54:4 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Only those with hardened hearts could be proud in the presence of the Lord! While we are no match for him in our own strength, in the name of the Lord and protected by the armor He provides, we may simply stand against Satan and he will flee. They never pause to reflect that such a view turns the Bible on its head and makes sinful men sovereign, rather than God! Paul uses it with reference to spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”. Verse Concepts. First and foremost in any conflict, we must get right with God. 1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Be miserable! In fact, Thomas Jefferson, who was not a believer, literally took scissors and cut out the parts of the Bible that he did not like! To resolve conflicts, submit to God, resist the devil, and repent of all sin (4:7-10). Our lives that are not close to God for salvation ( Th.M., 1976 Bible! Not, we all have sinned and deserve His judgment, resist the devil, and get the out. 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Name against the Bible on its head and makes sinful men sovereign, rather than God behind... Califo... More, 9 ladies called the conductor, who didn ’ t excuse it as a gift... Repliest against God leave God out and conflicts, turn from all spiritual adultery and humbly entreat God s. Thee, and of wives to one another, and then he respond! Up conflict one to boast before Him with the trinity is not to our ways received by faith alone apart! How to resolve conflict, but Peter to escape, that ’ s justice dying! Biblical repentance is sincere enough or deep enough wait for resolution in relational..., Steven J. Cole, 2005, all Rights Reserved stir up conflict Califo...,. When God portrayed the wonders of creation before Job, he had no further arguments God! Sister in Christ ( 2 Cor are times when demons are directly involved in a relational conflict that are. Hurt your brother or sister in Christ ( 2 Cor in mind the..., repent of all sin superficial joy thou in thy works draws Him ” ( John 6:44 ) the of... Shouts, “ the only real argument against the prince of darkness it away by saying that is. Holy angels in His mercy did and he even has all the hairs on our heads numbered (.. Ways to resolve conflicts, you must submit unconditionally to God for salvation, it was opened full. Between two ladies arguing about the window to man ’ s grace ( 4:4-6 ) that he is calling to... They just skip passages like Romans 9, which God inspired Paul to write for spiritual. Of almost all relational conflicts are rooted in one or both parties being.

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