The Pulpit Commentary — James — Section 71

him to survey the actual state of tbinga: disputes, atrifes, murders. (For condition of J~wish society at this timo, 8eo l'lumptre's notes: "rife with atrocities.") And he will ascend to the origin of them. Whence come they? They proceed from the rest- lessness of the unregeucrate nature, seeking, but seeking in vain, its satisfaction in the world. 'l'hese ~wo topics, then, are introduced to us: dissatisfaction with the world; eaLisfaction in God. I. DrBSATIBFACTION WITH THE WORLD. Man's nature consists of higher and lower, 11piritual and psychical, the one designed by God to govern and regulate the other. But without such governance the desires of the lower life are riotous and rampant, anr\ the members of the ungoverned man are the battle-ground for base cravings. And from the man himself the battle is projected into the world. 1. But what is the re.,ult of this unbridled craving for the world 1 A nature that is never satisfied. (1) Baffled desires and efforts towards the world. Ever more and more inflamed, for there is ace:. to.in infiniteness in man's cravings; ever more and more disappointed, for there is a palling finiteness in the world towards which man's infinite· cravings go forth. (2) The non-existence of desires towards God, who alone can satisfy. "Ye ask not" (ver. 2); or, "Ye ask amiss;" not sincerely for God's blessing itself, but merely for the selfish gratifica- tion of worldly desires (ver. 3). 2. And what the guilt of this condition 1 The guilt of absolute ungodliness I (1) The world-desires themselves, unbridled and lawless as they are, are evidence of divorce from God (ver. 4). (2) The spirit of envy which they provoke is absolutely opposed to God (ver. 5). Yes, it is from below. II. SATISFACTION IN Goo. But, it may be said, we are naturally so prone to sin; we covet, we envy, as being to the manner born. Yes, truly; and only God's grace can suffice. But God's grace can suffice, and it is abundantly given (ver. 6). 1. Let us notice the terms upon which this grace is given. (1) Towards God: humility (ver. 10), e.nd submission (ver. 7). (2) Towards the tempter: resistance (ver. 7). (3) Towards sin: repentance (a) of the will-cleansing the hands and purifying the heart (ver. 8); (b) of the feelings (ver. 9). (4) Towards God, again: drawing nigh, as to a Refuge (ver. 8). 2. And the results of this craving after God? (1) God's nearness to man (ver. 8; so John i. 51; xvii. 22, 23). (2) Man's exaltation to God (ver. 10). So, virtually, in the ascension of Christ; so actually by-and-by (John xiv. 3). The same old war in the members, from the beginning until now. It must be put down by a more righteous war. A war which demands all the abounding grace of God. Let us learn, then, sternness towards sin ; strong trust towards God. And so he will give the victory.-'r. F. L. Vera. 11, 12.-Judgment, human and Divine. The besetting sin of the Jews; the besetting sin of man: evil-speaking. But to speak evil, is to judge ; and who are we, that we should judge? One is the Judge, even God. I. TBE JUDGMENT OF MAN. In some cases, where great public ends are to be served, man seems to be justified in exercising a power of delegated judgment; so the magis- trate, the minister, the historian. But even here the power is qualified; the judgment of motives is not absolute. The besetting sin, however, is to judge of motives where only the act is known; and, which generally accompanies the fonner, to conjecture the act where little is definitely known. So in the world; so, alas, in the Church! But why is this judgment, why is this evil-speaking, wrong? There is a law against which it sins-the law of love. Indicated in "the Law" (Gal. vi. 2) ; also in the word "brother." Yes, a law which has said, "Judge not" (see Matt. vii. 1). But such judgment has a more uniquely ~vii relation to law than this. 1. False relatfon. '.o law: " Speaketh against the law, 1udgeth the law." What a subtle hypocrisy 1s this I When we think we are championing the law by our censorious speaking, we are in reality blaming it, condemning it; for we are virtually denying its right to teach us charity I So do we sit in judgment, forsooth, on the law itself. 2. True relation to law. "A doer." By charity, we recognize tlrn validity and rectitude of the great 111.w of charity, and our~elves obey its precepts_. This law, let us rem~mber, ~simper- ~onated in Christ. If, then, we do not bow to its sway, we do not receive Christ; aud, not receivin" Christ, we have no salvation. II. 'l'm;; fUDGMJ,;N'l' OF Goo. The great principle is here stated that, ultimately and F 66 THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. [on. rv. 1-17,