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Before Sunday

September 27th, 2009

Proper 21

Psalm 19

Numbers 11:4-29

James 4:7-5:6

Mark 9:38-48

Submit … resist… draw near…

James puts forth a number of verbs describing the life of faith. He has just warned his readers against pride and envy, explaining to them that such attitudes are of the world and indicate hostility toward God (see 4:1-6).

Now he puts forth the alternative way of living. Instead of pride a jealousy, the Christian begins with submission toward God. Submission, even to God, is not a natural tendency in us. We are nurtured and fostered in a world of self-assertiveness. We are rewarded for “taking charge” and applauded for our drive. To submit to divine authority is unnatural to virtually everything we have been taught, everything we have experienced. Nevertheless, it is always the first step in the journey of faith. It is that brutal honesty with the self that comes to the conclusion, “I can’t do this. It is beyond me. I must have help.” In fact, more than just “help,” we understand that we must completely surrender to God as our Creator and Redeemer if we are to understand our selves rightly and find His grace in time of need.

This is a difficult discipline. It calls us to “resist the devil.” Not only is our own nature bent away from this attitude of submission, but all the forces of darkness would tempt us to feed our own ego, massage our own desires, and lead us ever so rationally and reasonably toward self destruction. Though we are called to submit, this doesn’t mean we don’t exert ourselves. In fact, in submitting to God’s lordship over us, we then throw ourselves unreservedly into the battle, seeking to honor Him through the strength He gives us.

Our proximity to God is critical in this exercise. The proximity is spiritual and relational. We are called to experience the love and compassion of God in our hearts, that blessed communion that fills our souls, that wonder and delight in all of God’s works. The result is God’s coming to us. It is two sides of the same coin. The more we delight in His presence, His goodness and His grace toward us, the more He reveals to us just how deep and wide and overwhelming is His love.

Who would not submit to such a God of grace and love? And so the cycle begins again, of deeper submission, stronger resistance, and closer intimacy with our Heavenly Father.

James uses other verbs to describe the life of faith: “Cleanse,” “be wretched,” “mourn and weep,” and others (see verses 8-10). These are not attractive verbs, but they describe a life of repentance and another step toward true humility that James holds forth for all Christians as a prize virtue. Such repentance is not the product of self-abasement or “ego-bashing.” If that were its foundation, then repentance would itself be a “work” that we would pursue to gain God’s favor. Instead, repentance comes most naturally from a life of submission, resistance, and spiritual intimacy. How can one repent without that first step of submission? How can one understand the primacy of repentance if the enemy is not identified and resisted? Where can one find strength to repent except in that wondrous intimacy with God?

As you prepare for Sunday worship, bring yourself to that place of submission. This world is not about you, but God. He is the center of the universe. Begin there. Then note the activity of Satan himself. Identify him clearly as your enemy. Give him no quarter. Resist him at every turn. And draw near to your Creator and Redeemer. Let the comforting embrace of His Holy Spirit enfold you. Rest in His eternal love and care for you. Soak in the spiritual waters of His compassion. From this place, expect a spirit of repentance to bear you up and move you into action. Expect great things from the following of these “verbs.” The action will take place – and it will be the action of God’s almighty hand. – Marc Robertson

A Prayer

Almighty God, whose love and mercy surround us on every side: grant to us a spirit of submission, the will to resist the devil, and the heart to draw closer to You, so that we might discover a deeper and more profound repentance bearing fruit in our lives; to the glory of the Name of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.