Purpose

James 4 cont’d:

Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? But He gives a greater grace.

All scripture has a purpose…to instruct us and to change us.

When God’s spirit dwells inside of us, we still have a choice to follow his Spirit or follow our own senses.

Jealousy mentioned here isn’t the kind of jealousy that leads to envy and evil.  Jealousy mentioned her is the kind that vigilantly protects its own.  It’s the kind of jealousy that will cause a husband to rescue his wife from an evil intruder regardless of the husband’s own loss – all because he loves her.

God gave his son for us – at a price.  Therefore, we belong to him.  His love guards us and protects us.

Therefore, when his Spirit dwells in us, he is jealous over us, to keep us from evil and from destroying our lives.  One way he does this is through his Word.  But we have to make a choice to hear it and obey it.

All scriptures have a purpose.  In fact, they are as purposeful as eating your daily food that sustains you and keeps you alive.

We do live under grace. That’s why we’re not destroyed when we are taken away by our own lusts and desires.  But we also live under stern protection and instruction.  That’s why we must make a choice.

Think about your motives and thoughts when you get on your knees to ask God for something.  Then think about his motives and thoughts toward you and toward those who don’t know him.  And spend your time in prayer about the greater of those two things.

You just might see more answered prayer, with the bonus of having all of your own needs met, as well.