This visit resulted in a dramatically changed life Examining this encounter more closely, I discover five steps which brought Zacchaeus closer to God. 1. Submit yourselves, then, to God (James 4:7a NIV). Zacchaeus had reasons not to come down from the tree – the crowd hated him and he might be mobbed. Instead, he submitted to God’s call by coming down without hesitation or excuse. 2. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7b NIV). Surely Satan didn’t want Zacchaeus in town that day. Perhaps he planted ideas in his head about staying away from the peasant crowd and counting his money that afternoon. Providing reasons to ignore God is Satan’s specialty. Recognize his ploys and flee. 3. Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8a NIV). Zacchaeus only showed up; Jesus took care of the rest. No excuses about the house being a mess or not wanting to inconvenience Jesus. Don’t worry about your hidden sin – he knows about it
This visit resulted in a dramatically changed life Examining this encounter more closely, I discover five steps which brought Zacchaeus closer to God. 1. Submit yourselves, then, to God (James 4:7a NIV). Zacchaeus had reasons not to come down from the tree – the crowd hated him and he might be mobbed. Instead, he submitted to God’s call by coming down without hesitation or excuse. 2. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7b NIV). Surely Satan didn’t want Zacchaeus in town that day. Perhaps he planted ideas in his head about staying away from the peasant crowd and counting his money that afternoon. Providing reasons to ignore God is Satan’s specialty. Recognize his ploys and flee. 3. Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8a NIV). Zacchaeus only showed up; Jesus took care of the rest. No excuses about the house being a mess or not wanting to inconvenience Jesus. Don’t worry about your hidden sin – he knows about it