Looking for advice on how to navigate your way through the Word? Here are a few simple and easy study guides to help you grow deeper in your walk with the Lord.
Web Devotional
SUBMIT TO GOD
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:6-7)
We've been looking at this passage piece by piece. First, that "He gives more grace." Then, "God resists the proud." Then, "But gives grace to the humble."
Now we look at the next phrase: "Therefore submit to God." In light of the grace offered to the humble, there is only one thing to
do: submit to God. This means to order yourself under God, to surrender to Him as a conquering King, and start receiving the benefits of His reign.
It is an amazing thing that the world does not submit to God. We often hear of the rights of man; what about the rights of God?
Charles Spurgeon said that the rights of God are "the first, highest, surest, and most solemn rights in the universe, and lie at the base of all other rights."
God created beings who would not see if He had not given them eyes; and the creatures use those eyes to look everywhere except to God in heaven. He created beings that could not think apart from the minds He gave them; yet many of them think about everything except God. He created beings who would not exist apart from His pleasure; but for many of those beings, it pleases them to ignore His existence.
If God was a tyrant there might be honor or courage in resisting Him. But since He is a loving, giving Father it is only dishonor and ingratitude to rebel against Him. Instead, Spurgeon suggested reasons why we should submit to God:
- We should submit to God because He created us.
- We should submit to God because His rule is good for us.
- We should submit to God because all resistance to Him is futile.
- We should submit to God because such submission is absolutely necessary to salvation.
- We should submit to God because it is the only way to have peace with God.
It isn't too much to say that you are submitting right now. If you are not submitting to God, then you are submitting to His adversary. If you don't submit to God you will never resist the devil. Every man has a master; choose yours wisely.
By David Guzik
David is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara: www.calvarychapelsb.com
For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to: www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm
Recommended Reading
"New Testament Study Guide" by Pastor Chuck
Further your study of the New Testament with Pastor Chuck Smith. Explore the Gospels, Epistles, the Book of Acts, and Revelation with useful maps, definitions, teaching excerpts, charts and diagrams, and study questions.
Available in the Chapel Store - $9.89
"Old Testament Study Guide" by Pastor Chuck Smith
.sflb)
The ideal accompaniment to any Bible. Are you ready to give an answer to anyone, anywhere, who might ask you about Jesus Christ? The only way to be prepared is to know and to memorize the Scriptures. The Old Testament Study Guide was designed to enhance your knowledge of the Bible quickly and easily. Pastor Chuck Smith has written a verse-by-verse overview of the Old Testament to help everyone study the Bible more effectively. As you place the Old Testament Study Guide next to your Bible, you'll discover key words that define Hebrew words commonly found in the Old Testament; excerpts of Calvary Chapel Distinctives; biblical maps, charts, and diagrams to help visualize the text; and study questions for each book.
Available in the Chapel Store - $9.89