Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

ognize this, acknowledge it, and then identify it in particular instances. Note
well, Paul and Jesus refer not to the wretchedness of the unbeliever in his unregeneracy,
but to the wretchedness of the believer in the area of sanctification.
339 Furthermore, for both the fellowship with Christ spells deliverance
(Rom. 7:25a; Rev. 3:20).
Although James’ framework is different, his sobering message is exactly
the same. “You better start out by acknowledging, ‘owning,’ and ‘owning up’
to, your wretchedness!” While the duty seems overwhelmingly imposing, the
practice is unavoidable (Neh. 1:4-11; Ps. 6:6; Jer. 9:1; Lam. 1:18-19; 5:16;
Dan. 9:3-19; 2 Cor. 7:9-10), and the profit awesome (Neh. 2:1ff; Dan. 9:20ff;
2 Cor. 7:11). Note also that the “afflictions” James urges upon his readers
must be “actively” (imperative) sought and obtained from God (passive verb).
Nevertheless they do not consist of “self-inflicted hardships as acts of penance.”
Rather, they serve to produce “that sense of wretchedness from which
no one who is really sensitive to the burden of the world’s sin can ever be
free, and that godly sorrow that leads to repentance (see 2 Cor. 7:10)”
(Tasker, 96).
When this message penetrates, both (daily, but not morbid) mourning
(Mt. 5:4) and weeping (Mk. 14:72) as evidence of repentance (Is. 3:16-24;
Joel 2:12-13) are inevitable (See for the combination of the two terms, 2 Sam.
19:1; Neh. 8:9; Mk. 16:10; Lk. 6:25; Rev. 18:15, 19). Both David and Peter
are telling examples (Ps. 6:6; 51:1ff; Lk. 22:60-62). That is, they will, and
should, sooner or later follow in short order. Mourning indicates an inner sorrow,
while weeping is a visible manifestation of that sorrow, an outward display
of grief (Burdick, 195). Godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10) springs from the realization
of having offended God! It constitutes a spiritual affliction characterized
by a penetrating pain. It pains the child of God when he realizes that
he has offended and displeased his Lord. Please note, once again, that a sin is
first and foremost a sin against God! The shedding of tears is an outward expression
of this internal reality (Judg. 2:4; Lk. 22:62).
339 It is a well-known fact that a number of commentators hold (strongly) that “The Man of
Romans 7” is man in his unregenerate state. While I regard this exegetically unacceptable,
pastorally I judge this in principle deadly. Romans 7, seeking to convey why believers can do
nothing without Jesus (John 15:5), is designed to eradicate any and all human pride not only
in regeneration and justification, but also in sanctification. To leave only one vestige of pride
left can open the floodgates. I am aware of an instance, in which a prominent scholar, who
held to the “unregenerate view” of Romans 7, eventually ended up dismissing the inerrancy of
God’s Word. It may be difficult to demonstrate a causal connection. But it does not take much
toxic material to affect life adversely! My hope is that whatever is rejected by what I regard to
be a thoroughly mistaken exegesis of Paul’s teaching in Romans 7, will be heartily embraced
as truth by means of Jesus (Rev. 3:17) and James (Jam. 4:9)! This would remove the potentially
deadly sting!
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