Speaker: Jerry Cisar

Do you ever have questions like these: What is the biggest obstacle in my relationship with God? What is the my greatest hindrance to having peaceful relationships with others? Why do I constantly find myself in conflict with those I love? Why can’t I seem to remain faithful in my devotional life?

What if I told you that one thing is the answer to all of these questions. It can be said a few ways, but it is one answer. What is that one answer? What you love; what you desire and want. James K. A. Smith wrote, “What do you want? That’s the question. It is the first, last, and most fundamental question of Christian discipleship.” He goes on to point out that in John’s Gospel, “it is the first question Jesus poses to those who would follow him.” (John 1:38)

James, the author of this epistle, seems to agree. At least that is what James 4:1-6 tells us. What are these verses about? A lover’s quarrel. More pointedly, about a Lover’s quarrel caused by His wife’s affairs. They are about God’s yearning for our love and faithfulness to Him.

If we are going to follow Jesus, we must reconcile our desires with that of our Husband. If we do not, discipleship will be a failure. James talks about the source of broken relationships with others and of a believer’s broken relationship with God. Join us in worship as we explore the next section in James.

Handout: http://media.gccc.net/2016/07/20160724.pdf