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Read Introduction to James

 

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

 

Cleanse your hands,

James’ fourth imperative is “cleanse your hands.”  The word “cleanse” means to make free from admixture, to purify.  The idea is to remove something for the purpose of purification.  Old Testament priests washed their hands before approaching the presence of God in the Tabernacle (Ex 30:19-21).  James wants believers to wash their dirty “hands.”  Spiritually, we wash our hands in the blood of Christ when we confess our sins, His finished work of paying for our sins. 

2 Co 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

you sinners;

Believers who are “sinners” must cleanse themselves before they can have fellowship with God.  We cannot fellowship with God (draw near) without confession of sin. 

PRINCIPLE: 

Consistency with God’s character is the ground of concord with Him. 

APPLICATION:  

Those who continually confess their sin may walk with the Lord.  If we do not confess our sins, it may be because of guilt.  We do not feel worthy to fellowship with the Lord.  Sin cannot stand in the presence of God.  We must not allow guilt get in the way of trust in the blood of Christ to forgive us. 

Mt 5:8  “Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.”

1 Jn 3:3 “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

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