In today’s society the term “Christian” often gets used as an adjective. We have Christian music, Christian books, and Christian schools. However, in the Bible, the term “Christian” is never used as an adjective; it is always used as a noun. And what do nouns need in order to make sentences? Nouns need verbs, and the same is true of your discipleship. In other words, to be a Christian requires you to add some verbs to your faith. Today, we examine one of the verb that James indicates we need to add to our faith.
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
– James 4:4-10