04/09/08

Draw closer to God and He will draw close to you

James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

Many of us have been doing some or the other efforts to build our relationship with the Lord but our levels of relationship vary. For some it may be good, some okay and for others, they have yet to know God on a personal note. In all this we still have to experience the Lord like the relationship we have with another living being in flesh. The words 'Draw nigh' in the first part of the sentence although is same to the 'draw nigh' in the latter part of the sentence, yet there is a difference in their grammar (TVM - Tense, Voice, Mood).

James 4:8 - Draw nigh <1448> (5657) to God <2316>, and <2532> he will draw nigh <1448> (5692) to you <5213>.

In <> is the Strong number and in () is the TVM of the word.

(5657)
TVM: Aorist 5777, Active 5784, Imperative 5794, Count: 375

A short notes on:

5777 Aorist
The aorist tense is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. There is no direct or clear English equivalent for this tense, though it is generally rendered as a simple past tense in most translations.

5784 Voice-Active
The active voice represents the subject as the doer or performer of the action. e.g., in the sentence, "The boy hit the ball," the boy performs the action.

5794 Mood-Imperative
The imperative mood corresponds to the English imperative, and expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the one commanding. Thus, Jesus' phrase, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel" #Mark 1:15 is not at all an "invitation," but an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers.

While the second 'draw nigh' having TVM # 5692
(5692)
TVM: Future 5776, Active 5784, Indicative 5791, Count: 813

5776 Tense-Future
The future tense corresponds to the English future, and indicates the contemplated or certain occurrence of an event which has not yet occurred.

5784 Voice-Active
The active voice represents the subject as the doer or performer of the action. e.g., in the sentence, "The boy hit the ball," the boy performs the action.

5791 Mood-Indicative
The indicative mood is a simple statement of fact. If an action really occurs or has occurred or will occur, it will be rendered in the indicative mood.

Which brings to understanding that our drawing close to God should be unceasing, the efforts need to be made by us and it is not a suggestion, but a command. The second part of God drawing closer to us is not in present tense but future tense, it is assured and even when we do not see results we should still continue our pursue.

The few of the steps that we need to take to drawing closer to God have been stated by James around the scripture.

Submit one's self totally to God which means self surrender.
Resist the devil, since the devil gets to us through our flesh (carnal nature) we need to control our flesh.
Cleanse our hands (works), soul, emotions and thinking.
Keep sober in spirit knowing our spiritual state and of the state of God's Church.
Humbling our self to God; means keeping God on higher priority than ourselves.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, guide me as I try to come closer to You. Let my every action, word and thinking be molded for your glory alone. May I experience your glory like Moses did when he came before You, every time I take your Name. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
James 4:7-10
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

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