Draw Near to God, and He Will Draw Near to You
James 4:8
(Photo by Wanghao SANG on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
James 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Purity begins with drawing near to God in repentance and faith, because He is the One who cleanses and transforms us.
As you come into His presence through prayer, meditation on His Word, and worship, His holiness exposes anything in your life that does not reflect Him. The closer you draw near to Him, the more clearly you see both His purity and your need for cleansing.
James calls us not only to come near, but to repent. “Cleanse your hands” speaks of turning from sinful actions. “Purify your hearts” speaks of dealing with divided loyalties and inward motives. God desires wholehearted devotion, not double-minded faith.
When the Spirit reveals sin, confess it to Him. As 1 John 1:9 promises, He is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse from all unrighteousness. This is not about earning salvation, it is about sanctification, the ongoing work of God setting you apart and conforming you to Christ.
Take a moment today. Ask God to search your heart, reveal any impurity, and cleanse you. Draw near to Him, and trust that He will draw near to you. ~ Jeff M Newman
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