The book was written by the Apostle James, the brother of Jesus in 49 A.D. before the Jerusalem council in 50 A.D. This was written to the Jewish Christians who were scattered in the Mediterranean world because of the persecutions. The main focus of this book is to give the believers then and today the practical guidelines to have true understanding of the following: true religion, true faith, and true wisdom.
Hindrances to Answer My Prayer (James 4:1-12).
James wrote the Jewish believers to remind and clarify them the acceptable kind of relationship they should have in the church. He taught them that God will only hear their prayers if there is no quarreling and fighting among the believers in the church; if there is no killing and covetousness that should exist within just to get something for personal gain; that prayer needs pure motive and not to satisfy one's personal interest; that they should not be friend with the evil system of the world that teaches envy, selfish interest, pride, hard headed attitude, gossip, judgmental attitude and others. Instead, if they want the Lord will answer their prayers, they should live with humbleness, let love reigns in their personal life, family, church, working relationship and dealing with other people, learn to trust others and not to become judgmental, don't destroy others integrity because of gossiping or sharing false information, and to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. These are the proofs of a true child and follower of God.
If a Christian lives in sin, he can't resist the devil cause sin is Satan's controlling power in the life of man. Man and even a Christian will lose his inner strength to say no to temptation. Unbelievers are already controlled by Satan because of sins in them but if a person truly accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior yet he still living in sin, his position in Christ is questionable and he might not really a child of God. He accepted Jesus based on different shallow reasons like pressure from the family and other people, personal interest and fear of hell, he is used to have a good life and doesn't want to suffer, and others, not really and wholeheartedly willing to leave his sins, and to suffer and die for Christ. His decision was motivated by earthly things that last temporarily. The word of God is very clear to say that all who belong to God hear what God says and they obey his word continually and hold on to these daily John 8:31-32; 47.
Rewards of the true child of God and who obeys his Word faithfully.
First, God will answer his prayer. He can claim God many promises in his word like in Mark 11:24 that says, "Whatsoever you ask for in prayer, believe that you received it and this will be yours. Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know". Second, he can resist the devil and the devil will flee from him James 4:7. A true Christian can command Satan to go away from him cause God through his Holy Spirit is living in him and Satan can't touch him. That is the result if a Christian lives a holy life. The presence of God will not depart from a true obedient child of God. He is always strong and victorious in the midst of issues and hardships in life. Like Job, when great storms in life came to him like the losing of all his wealth, death of all his three daughters and seven sons at the same time, suffering pain physically from head to toe. He made to overcome all of these and never blamed God nor questioned him why those painful experiences came to him. He never sinned but had learned to make a wise decision to be faithful to his God and to praise him that's why God restored more than twice everything that were lost from him caused God was so pleased in his life Job 1-42. Lastly, God will lift him up James 4:10. Like Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. He suffered so much from the hands of his brothers but he remained patient and faced all odds in life. He became faithful in small things and did his very best to glorify God in all things that he does until the Pharaoh of Egypt made him the next person to his throne caused he found favor to God and Joseph was exalted to the prominent position of power of other land because he lived a holy life. He pleased God Genesis 37-50.
For more messages about life, death, hope, inner strength, wisdom and others, visit our website at savelifewithjoy.com or go to our blogs at hopeandlifeforyou,com and Eugene "EJ" Juarez or fro your comments, suggestions and prayer requests, email us at agn623@gmail.com.
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