One of our lesson writers stated, "One doubting is like someone without an anchor rather than one who has an anchor, but is struggling to trust it still works. This person (w/out an anchor) has no discernment and is influenced by everything around him/her."
In verse 6 where it states "but let him ask in faith" is where the difference is to me. Faith here in the Greek is describing a believer [one who belongs to Jesus].
Go back to what the lesson writer said about doubting and we can concur the following:
JESUS IS THE ANCHOR
Verses 7 & 8:
Question: How does James describe this person in verse 6 that we have been discussing?
"Double-minded" literally being in two minds
An example would being someone saying they really want God's best in their life, yet they actually have their heart set on something far less.
Another example: A person saying they know God is in control when they are in trials & tribulations but are equally waiting on someone or something else besides God to get them through. James says this person should not expect to receive from God.
Wait a second.....didn't we learn in verse 5 that God gives generously to all...
Yes, we did learn that God gives generously to all. However, the problem here (the giving not happening as James speaks of) is with the one petitioning God not God. The person is not counting wholly and completely on God; when they are counting on themselves, someone else, or something else. Therefore, they have put a "blocker" between them and God.
***I want to point something out here...this in no way supports the idea that someone's loved one died because the people didn't have enough faith. Being honest it totally irks me, when a child goes to be with the Lord and someone tells the parent "your child would have lived only if you had enough faith"***
What James is saying is:
"When in a time of trial, no matter the size, "to ask in faith" is to hand EVERYTHING (even our doubts) to God. We turn wholly to Him, we even ask God to help us turn wholly and completely to Him because we need HIS SPIRIT to work in us."
Turn to Mark 9:22-27 for an example of handing everything even our doubts over to God.
This father was not looking for another answer while counting on God. His cry, "I do believe, help my unbelief" is exactly what James is talking about. This father is handing EVERYTHING (even his unbelief) wholly and completely over to God.
Another example for ya:
There is a woman in deep trial struggling to trust God. She wants to trust but she also wants God to do what feels most comfortable for her when fixing her trial. She wants her circumstances to change and others around her to change so externally she has fewer problems.
However, what she needs to realize is for her plan to work isn't truly trusting God! If she refuses God's work in her. She will be shutting herself off [creating that "blocker" we discussed earlier] from seeing what God can and wants to do whether the others cooperate by changing or not!
Next week 12.4.2010 we will take a brief break from James to look at Advent.
No comments:
Post a Comment