@FirstChurchofJerusalem
Today's Early Church Wisdom
“The professions and trades of those who are going to be accepted into the community must be examined. The nature and type of each must be established… brothel, sculptors of idols, charioteer, athlete, gladiator…give it up or be rejected. A military constable must be forbidden to kill, neither may he swear; if he is not willing to follow these instructions, he must be rejected. A proconsul or magistrate who wears the purple and governs by the sword shall give it up or be rejected. Anyone taking or already baptized who wants to become a soldier shall be sent away, for he has despised God.”
~ Hippolytus (170AD – 236AD)
This week's Psalm is Psalm 31 'My Rock, My Shield, My Song'

Draw Near to God

James writes, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). What does it mean to draw near to God? God is closer than our breath, so how can we draw any nearer? James is simply describing a behavioural decision. Just as we might decide to get up, to go to work, to make a cup of tea, so we may decide to draw near to God. God is with us always, but are we attending to Him? Are we practising His presence? Are we imaginatively listening for His voice? Are we engaging in conversation with Him over the many different aspects of our life? If we are not, our life will be greatly impoverished. Indeed, such a life is sinful, for it cannot do God’s will. Sinful people never listen to God. Double-minded people listen when it suits them, but they do not listen consistently, so they cannot be relied upon. James says to them, “Cleanse your hands!” If you think about it for a moment, washing your hands is not something that you only do once! Imagine the state of your hands if that was so. No, we wash our hands regularly, and the more regularly the better, if we wish to avoid making things dirty, becoming infected, or passing on infection. Scripture presents turning to God as a lifestyle, the lifestyle of a true disciple. Jesus directed us to abide in Him (John 15:4). There’s no better way to live.