Philip Dampier's Blog

Chapter 4, Verse 9, “Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

What are you saying, James? Why should I be wretched? Why would God want me to mourn and weep? I thought the whole idea was for salvation to bring joy and happiness. Shouldn’t Christians be a laughing people? What about the sermon on the mount? Wasn’t that about being happy because of a new relationship with God?

James must be thinking on a different level than we are. He seems to be telling Christians the opposite of what they expect to hear. Why is he doing that. He is addressing those that do not take Christianity seriously. Those who live two lives, pretending righteousness but truly living in sin. James is arguing for a real serious conversion to the cause of Christ. Not a quick rush or hasty choice but one that is totally God driven. This echoes the voices of the prophets who often used similar language. James is reminding us that we can’t fool around with God.

Task for Today: Don’t get caught up in the “play Christian” game so many follow. They talk Godly but live worldly. See yourself for what you really are without God changing grace. Live with the understanding that you are a sinner and helpless to change that. Fall down in the presence of God.