“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8 NIV)

Want God to be near to you?

Notice the order of things described in this promise. It tells YOU to come near to God, and then, if you do, He will come near to you!

Many Christians have it backwards!

They spend a lot of time asking God to “come” to “bless” them, and to “hear their prayers,” when He has already made these things, and so much more, freely available to “whosoever” will simply reach out to Him and receive them by faith!

Come boldly 

The Bible says to “come boldly” to God to receive what you need. (Heb. 4:16) Another passage says to “seek Him first” and then, all that you need “will be added to you”. (Matt. 6:33) Notice, in each verse, you are instructed to take the initiative. And, that’s because God has already done His part! Notice that the following passage states that He “has” given us “everything”. 

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

You just need to believe and act with faith!

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Heb. 11:16 ESV)

Therefore…

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13 ESV)

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (Prov. 8:17 ESV)

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“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (Col. 1:18)

God, first place in everything

The above passage tells us that God is head of the church (which is His body), is Himself “the beginning”, is “the firstborn from the dead” and “will come to have first place in everything”. This verse is about firsts. Notice that it ends with the statement that God Himself is first place in everything.

Jesus is first

“‘The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. ‘From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.’” (Prov. 8:22-23)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:15-17)

Jesus talked about firsts

Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). This verse is both a command and a promise. The command: Seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness first. The promise: All these things shall be added to you. 

For a list of what God provides when you obey the command, read the book of Matthew, chapter six. In it, Jesus commands you not to be anxious about the necessities of life. Just as God cares for and feeds the birds of the air, you are more valuable to Him and He will take care of you, too. 

Therefore…

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” (2 Thess. 2:13)

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 KJV)

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