T H E S I N O F
I N S T A B I L I T Y
by Robert L. Thomas, Th.D. Professor of New Testament, Talbot Theological Seminary
O N E c a n n o t h e l p being impressed with the fact that the world is in a state of flux. Our minds become confused because o f the rapidity with which changes are taking place. Unfortun ately, however, our hearts as Christians are also being shaken from the resoluteness that should characterize our behavior. Many individuals who could be doing great things for God are constant ly being retarded by the spiritual disease of in decision, or as it might be called more aptly, in stability. Few and far between are those whose singleness o f purpose keeps them in constant pur suit of that goal which is God’s will for their lives. It is reminiscent of the early history of John Mark, who after being entrusted with cer tain missionary responsibilities by Paul and Barnabas, disappointed the expectations of his superiors and returned to more comfortable sur roundings in Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). The writer James looks upon this sin as one of the most dangerous shortcomings that beset Christians. He gives three reasons why instability or doublemindedness, as he sometimes calls it, is a serious detriment to successful Christian living:
I. It is a hindrance to answered prayer (James 1:5-8). When James speaks of a lack of wisdom in 1:5, he has primary reference to a situation in which the Christian is facing difficult testings. In such trials, James says, it takes a certain type of wisdom if one is to encounter them with suc cess ; it takes a wisdom which can come only from God. Moreover, the one who asks such wisdom from God with singleness of mind will receive a generous portion o f it. There is, however, one way to be certain that the request will not be answered, and that is to be divided in the request, not really knowing whether the wisdom is wanted or not. Two courses are open to the Christian who is being tested: one is to deliver hmself from the testing by com promising his stand for Christ, and the other is to ask for wisdom to face the test properly and in the strength of God. The person who would adopt the latter course is cautioned by the words “nothing wavering” in verse 6. This expression could well be rendered “ being divided in nothing,” and the next part of
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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