Theme: submission to the will of God

      I'll only write about one more theme that clearly runs through the book of James. We saw it come to a head in chapter four with the clear command, submit to God. Yet the very essence of the book might be submission to the will of God.
      The very first reference is in 1:4. "Let perseverance finish it's work." We focus on the end of that verse as part of the joy of going through a trial; an eye on the prize type of thing. Yet we need to submit to it. We need to let God do the work in us. This becomes a strong theme throughout the book. Verses 5,6 say ask God for wisdom... isn't that [when done rightly] asking to see his will?
      1:21 says in humility [submission to the will of God] receive the Word, and the next verse says to do what it says.
      Chapter 2:12 says speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of liberty... giving God the right to judge. Later 4:12 will remind us there is only one judge; not us.
     3:13 and 17 speaks of deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom, wisdom that only comes from heaven. Submission to the superior knowledge and plan of God.
     4:4-6 makes us chose between the world and God: which path will we take? Doesn't that involve submission to Him. In fact 4:7 [again] says it right out. "Submit yourselves, then, to God."
    Continuing in chapter 4:10, humble yourself. 4:15, instead we should say, if it's the Lord's will....
    Chapter 5: 7,8 wait. What does wait mean if not to let God do what He is going to do? In fact, it says wait until the Lord's coming. He IS doing something. He's coming to make it right. The examples James gives are the epitome of submission. The prophets; submitting to God's will in seemingly ridiculous ways: laying on one side for so many days then the other side so many days.. marrying an unreformed prostitute, buying a field days before the destruction of Jerusalem. God said: they did.
    The other example is Job. "The Lord gives. The Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Again, the perfect example of someone who was willing to let God do whatever He wanted.
     I wonder how much peace there would be in that? A perfect belief that whatever God is doing is perfect. A wholehearted trust His will is best. Wouldn't that be the perfect attitude to have in this context, especially, of going through trials. It would be the perfect attitude to have every day! Wow. This requires some examination.