What We Pursue

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 5:8 ESV

​You know that feeling when you’re cruising down a ski trail and you hit a random icy patch and catch yourself off balance – if you’re from the east coast, then you know exactly what I mean. That’s how I feel whenever I read James – humbled. One of the main themes of this book is faith versus works – or better worded, “faith that works.” What does it look like to have a faith that works?

​Often times, we have the wrong idea that being a Christian is about avoiding things. We will try not to drink too much, to look at other men/women besides our spouse, or to swear. These are all good things, and you should do these things – however, God is not pleased in the things we do (Isaiah 64:6). He is pleased when our heart is set on Him (Psalm 51:6-7). It’s not about what we avoid, it’s about what we pursue. We will never be close to God by avoiding bad things; we become close to God by seeking God (James 5:8). When we seek God, it’s a lot easier to live for Him too. The Holy Spirit empowers and helps us to live godly, something we can’t truly do without Him (Rom. 8:5-6).

​We can’t live for God without God. We can’t put ourselves in auto-drive mode, and call it good. Our need for God’s help is obvious in the cross. We might be able to land that trick perfectly off that new rail, but we can’t truly perform up to God’s standard of perfection with our whole life. We know this because Jesus had to die. His death proves our flaws and brokenness – but it also proves His love that He would die WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS (Romans 5:8). God desperately wanted a relationship with us, so He gave up His one and only Son to rid of the barrier between us, aka our sin. Yet again, God wants our hearts more than anything, and we were made to love Him and to spend an eternity with Him (Col. 1:16).