ARROWS AT THE HEART

James 4

James reels off arrows to the heart in James chapter four like the safety is off and the hammer is locked down on an automatic crossbow! He begins exposing what I feel and ignore, he puts on display what I sense and maneuver around: what I know is down inside and yet have too little courage to name. James however minces no words calling it "the whole army of evil desires at war within you."

My first response is, "how descriptive," while aptly thinking of guilty others of course. But that misdirection quickly lapses into an embarrassingly diminishing denial and reflective "who me?" When my mental escape has run its course, I comeback to rest with His words. I must confess within, "God knows me."

One after another James zings his pointed tips into the depths of my heart- exhibiting my motives. He alleges that even in prayer my powerful affection for the things of the world  tumble to the stage. James expunges my tender facade of pure intentions and exposes the power of deeply rooted pride. At the same time the Spirit-words illuminate the only track toward grace, one that favors only the humble heart.

James' directions in vs 7-8 almost seem cliche' if you have visited them before. Still they are profound and clear they almost leap into your heart. The words sound familiar but have a necessary order and flow that must not be missed to be authentic.
.    Humble yourself before God resist the devil- (hear the promise the devil will flee when I humble myself.)
.    draw close to God- (with the promise God will draw close to me, He will be there)
.    Wash your hands you sinner- (He calls me what I am)
.    Purify your hearts you hypocrite - (there he is in my heart exposing my motives)

James continues in the remainder of the chapter dragging me across peaks and valleys of tears-grief-dependance and honor. These are things we can expect in life. But this morning Father, your arrows that have my attention are in two of the specific actions:

1) Wash your hands sinner - it reminds me I have gotten dirty. As the hymnist says "sin has left its crimson stain." I have soiled myself with sin and I need to get up and clean off.
2) Purify your heart you hypocrite. I can't really do this without agreeing with James about what is in my heart. I can't clean it, change it or flush it without exposing and acknowledging it first.

It's ugly down there. But if anyone should look the door to this abyss, it's painted nice and flowers are on the porch. It doesn't even hint at the ugliness it conceals, but that's what hypocrites do with front doors, even when arrows are stuck in them. Father, I think this one will stick with me for a while.
Glad to be with you in the Word, Pastor Art