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REFLECTION

Come near to God is the theme for our reflection. “Come near to God” means the restoration of our relationship with God. James admonishes the recipients of His letter to come near to the Lord by turning away from sin. Dear friend, in which way can we come near to the Lord?

James admonishes us to come near to God through humility and repentance. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:7-10). The prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 came near to the father by humbling himself and showing a sign of humility and repentance. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ (Luke 15:17-21) Dear friend, God accept those who come near to Him in humility and repentance. God continues to assure us that “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Beloved in the Lord, what are we waiting for? it is time for us to give up addictions, fleshly desires, pride and old ways which are opposed to the will of God, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17). So long as we can read this reflection, it means we are still alive by grace, therefore, if we have not repented from our sins then God is giving us another chance or opportunity to come near to Him and be saved. Jesus has assured us that “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:19-22). The choice is ours to make today but may not be available for us to make tomorrow because tomorrow is never promised, Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28) Shalom.

PRAYER

Merciful God, draw us close to Your presence through the power of the Gospel and may the Holy Spirit enable us to overcome sin and to live a life worthy of our calling and salvation. Amen