James 4:4-10

James 4:4-10
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

  The image of the old sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God still resonates with us.  We have this idea seared into our heads, that God is furious with us and looking for every opportunity to punish us.  Like children afraid of our parents, doubting their love, we look for every possible way to squirm out of our situation, hoping for an easier escape, chasing shadows and the morning mist, hoping against hope.
  The picture Jesus paints us, the picture he illustrates with his body on the cross, is that of a God ready and eager to forgive, with his arms open wide and accepting us as the broken sinners we are.  This requires the difficult step of setting down our pride and accepting the truth -- that we have sinned against God and broken his commandments.  This isn't easy, but confessing this and accepting God's grace is the only true way out of our predicament.
  We are sinful and broken, but God is willing and able to forgive us our sins and cleanse us, sharing with us Christ's glory so that we might find the abundant life.