In the
annals of US advertising history, one of the most efficient slogans ever is the
California milk producers’ two-word question, “Got milk?” With that phrase, the
group captured almost everyone’s attention. In surveys, the slogan was recognized
by more than 90 percent of the people polled.
If “Got
milk?” is so good at reminding people to drink “cow juice,” perhaps we can
create some two-word slogans to remind ourselves to live more godly lives.
Let’s turn to James 4 and try it. This passage gives four specific guidelines.
1. Give
in! Verse 7 tells us to submit to God. Our sovereign God loves us, so why
not let Him run the show? Submission helps us resist the devil.
2. Get
close! Verse 8 reminds us of the value of drawing near to God. It’s up to us to
close the gap between us and God.
3. Clean
up! Verse 8 also reminds us to make sure our hearts are clean. That happens
through confessing our sins to God.
4. Get
down! James says we need to be humble before God (v.10). That includes viewing
our sin as something to weep over.
Give in!
Get close! Clean up! Get down! These pairs of words may not look as good on a
T-shirt as “Got milk?” But they sure will look good on us.
The most
powerful testimony is a honest life. (RBC)
