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You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
James 4:8
8 Draw nigh <eggizo> to God <theos>, and
<kai> he will draw nigh <eggizo> to you <humin>. Cleanse
<katharizo> your hands <cheir>, ye sinners <hamartolos>; and
<kai> purify <hagnizo> your hearts <kardia>, ye double minded
<dipsuchos>.KJV-Interlinear
8 Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you
double-minded.NASB
Typically, the mind is referred to as the residence of
the content of the soul. The heart is referred to as the activity or the
thought processes, or the circulation of that content throughout the soul, the
thoughts and intents of the soul.The
feet represent the pattern of life we choose as we walk, or travel through
life, and the hands represent our actions, the tools by which we do what we do
in life.
Draw near, means to approach God.But, we cannot approach God unless we are
clean.If you were filthy dirty and
stunk to high heaven, would anyone want you near them?No.You have to clean yourself up before anyone would want to be near you,
and it is no different with God.
God smells your sin, and that is stench enough for Him
to stay clear of you.
So, in order to draw near to God, you must first clean
yourself up.That means to confess your
sins, which is the cleansing action of the soul.'Father, I did this and that, and this and
that.'
You name your sins to God the Father, and to no one
else.All spiritual business is between
you and God and no one else.And all
spiritual business is done in the name of Christ.That is the default understanding.
Washing your hands is symbolic of cleansing your
soul.We cannot take a shower and be
spiritually clean, but when we confess our sins to God the Father, then, as we
studied in 1, 2, and 3 Jn., He is faithful and justified in forgiving us and
cleansing us from all unrighteousness.Unrighteousness is the entire content and range of our wickedness
whatever our sins may be.
You sinner, is referring to you, and all of humanity.No one is perfect in this world, and all
imperfection is filth.And, in order to
approach God, we must become perfect, or spiritually cleansed.
Purifying your hearts is the cleansing of your
thoughts.You must transform your
thinking into spiritual views, not worldly opinions.And you gain this transformation, by means of
your daily study.
Most folks think that they speak to God only when they
pray in some formal sense, or only when they go into a church and/or kneel
before a cross.Not so.When you are in fellowship, you are in effect
online constantly with streaming communication with the Father.
By the way all spiritual communication is directed toward
the Father.
When you commit a sin, your line of communication is
shut down, cut off, disconnected.So
staying online is the best position to be in.Anything you say and do is received by God when you are in fellowship.
When you are in fellowship, He, God the Father, draws
near to you.That is to say, He accepts
your approach to Him and receives your presence.
Double mindedness is the oscillation or vacillation of
ones life in and out of fellowship, in and out of contact with God.Double mindedness is the single biggest
barrier to an effective spiritual life.
The secret to an effective spiritual life, is being
resident in fellowship.The secret to a
quality spiritual life, is through growth to maturity.And that comes with the purification process
of your heart, or in other words, learning doctrine, using doctrine, and
growing up to spiritual maturity.
Now is the time to post a prayer.
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
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