Friendship with the World
Christians often need a WAKE-UP CALL.
James is about to give one.
James 4:4 (ESV) You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
To truly understand what James means in chapter four, you have to understand the Greek idea of friendship. One commentator said, "Hellenistic friendship “involved ‘sharing all things’ in a unity both spiritual and physical.”
What were they sharing?
Covetousness and out of control desires that led them to do despicable things to each other.
The "brothers" of James' audience were certainly a dysfunctional group. It gives me hope for the church of the 21st Century. They were killing each other (and some commentators do not take that as a metaphor from the text). Wow.
Even with all their faults and even in their horrible spiritual condition, James doesn't lead them to condemnation. Of course he calls them to repent. But on what basis?
James 4:6 (ESV) But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James is about to give one.
James 4:4 (ESV) You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
To truly understand what James means in chapter four, you have to understand the Greek idea of friendship. One commentator said, "Hellenistic friendship “involved ‘sharing all things’ in a unity both spiritual and physical.”
What were they sharing?
Covetousness and out of control desires that led them to do despicable things to each other.
The "brothers" of James' audience were certainly a dysfunctional group. It gives me hope for the church of the 21st Century. They were killing each other (and some commentators do not take that as a metaphor from the text). Wow.
Even with all their faults and even in their horrible spiritual condition, James doesn't lead them to condemnation. Of course he calls them to repent. But on what basis?
James 4:6 (ESV) But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Even now, in the throws of anger, disputes, contentions, mistreatment of one another, GOD GIVES GRACE. So humble yourselves to receive it. Admit you are the problem (read verse 1 and 2 again). Stop blaming the system, the environment (weather for me), or other people.
Humble yourself. Take care of your sins. Notice right after the call to humbling oneself, James tells them to stop speaking evil of one another. It's not THEIR fault that you are like this. Humble YOURSELF.
Then, even more promises...
James 4:8 (ESV) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
John Bevere once wrote about this verse: "You are as close to God as you want to be right now." The ball is in your court. God will come near, when you decide to "cleanse your hands" of sin and this world and hunger only for Him.
The Grace of God is hard to understand. It really is. We underestimate it every time. Just about when we look our worst, God is ready to grace us the most. If only we will humble ourselves...
PRAYER:
Father, come near me. I am sorry for my selfishness and silliness over matters that don't matter. I am the problem with me. Not my wife, kids, or others. Come near me, change me, be with me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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