SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL

"Come near to God and he will come near to you."
~James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Sounds easy…Just draw near to God. So, why don't we? Why is it so easy to draw near to people, to things, everyone and everything but God? Could it be because God is pure, righteous and holy? He is so pure, so holy, and so righteous that He can not even look upon sin. The Word of God states that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are covered by the pure, holy, righteous blood of the Lamb. Your sin is atoned for. Yet, we still do not draw near to God. Why?

The rest of James 4:8 states: "Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." If our sin is atoned for, why are we told to wash our hands and purify our hearts? In order to draw near to God, we must first submit to Him. To draw near to him, means you must allow Him to examine your heart daily. If you are holding on to sin like coveting, bitterness, gossip, gluttony, jealousy, unforgiveness, selfishness, judgment, critical spirit, etc. (to name just a few!), then it is hard to go before a pure, righteous and holy god. We would rather "hold on" to our sin than to draw near to God. Yet, the word of God tells us if we will draw near to him He will draw near to us.

Draw near to him today. Don't delay. Go boldly before the throne room of grace. Give Him permission to search your heart. If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you, and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. What a good and merciful God we serve.

Prayer:
Father God, help me to draw near to you with a sincere heart today. Reveal the hidden things of my heart that are not pleasing to you. Bring them to the surface so that I may confess them to you. Thank you for forgiving me whenever I do this, and that you cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank you that your love covers over my sins and draws me to you each and everyday.

Copyright © 2001-2009 Deborah Collins.

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