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We are continually learning from this most practical book on "How to be mature in Christ?" I trust that this week you will be drawn closer to a relationship with God as you read it. Let's look at this week's passage in two parts; here is the first...

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:4-6

I have to keep reminding myself that James is speaking to Christians. He talks about spiritual adultery here when he says 'You adulterous people...". It's as if one is connected or married in a sense to God and when we flirt with the world it's like committing adultery in a marriage, but of course this is spiritual.

Usually when we read of the word "world" in the Bible, it hardly refers to the cosmos or planet earth. Rather, the meaning of "world" is the world system. In other words it's the way the world think, acts, and interprets what is right and world. Usually the world calls what is wrong right and what is right wrong. He are some examples: abortion is seen in the western world and Europe mostly as a preference of a mother; the Bible says that life is a gift from God and that what is living should not be terminated.

World versus bible

The world says that being gay is a matter of how one is born and not a matter of choice; the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin like all others. In other words, if there is no creator and you believe in evolution, then God has not given us absolutes and we therefore have a right to our own opinion. This is the world system which is usually contrary to God. Therefore, if one becomes a friend of the world, they will end up disobeying God.

However, we cannot lose sight of God's grace. Grace is when God gives us what we do not deserve, and God gives us more and more grace to live for Him with joy rather than a burden. God is the one who opposes the proud but gives grace to those who are humble. Humility is the mark of genuine Christianity. As one serves God it should not make them proud or a snob, rather the end result is a servant of God. Let's move on to the second part of our passage for today which is the application to the first...

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." Verses 7 - 10.

The application is most important here. Because we can so easily become an enemy of God by "dating" the world, we are to submit to God and resist the devil. In fact, the Bible talks more about resisting the devil than rebuking him. When we deny his temptation, and place ourselves under God, giving up our will, the devil will take a hike.

Therefore, as we come near to God in prayer and faith, He will come near to us in protection and victory. The Bible then speaks of a term that the Jewish Christians reading this book would notice right away. He says that we should wash our hands and purify our hearts. The washing of hands was what the priest had to do in the Tabernacle in the past before they could operate the offerings or conduct the work in the Tent of Meeting. It was a symbolic practice that their actions and heart had to be right before God.

Here is the conclusion, stop doing whatever is causing you to align yourself with the world and submit to God's plan for your life. You won't regret it because His ways are creative, exciting, and unique. He will give you the 'ride' of your life, so fasten that seat belt and see Him do great things through you for His glory. So instead of celebrating and giving approval to what is wrong, instead turn your sadistic laughing and joy to genuine sorrow and mourning for your sin, and come back to where God wants you to be.

There's that word again, "humble" yourself before God and He will lift you up. Do you want God's favour in your life; do you want him to lift you up? Then take the road of humility. It is the only true way to confidence and strength. I look forward to sharing more with you next week, in the meantime, enjoy the abundant life, after all Jesus died for you to give it to you as a free gift for all that would believe in Him!

Pastor Gary C. Simons serves as the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, 82 Church Street, Hamilton, HM12[[In-content Ad]]

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