Choosing Enmity?

Verses for this morning from James 4:4-8 NIV:

[4] “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? [6] But he gives us more grace. 

That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 

[7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Verse 4 is a rough verse to understand, for the extreme words are quite literally what James writes.  Our potential friendship (philios) with the world puts us in conflict with God. 

How are we supposed to live in this world then?

The word that gives us the key is “chooses”.  As this is not something that just happens, or the fruit of our learning to live in this world, but rather a willing deliberate purpose and plan.  The Greek word is boulomai.

Taking this word and definition a bit further, this is not Christian individual who is trying to live at peace with those around them, rather this is the one who schemes and plans, to embrace the things of the world that are in contrast to the ways of God, giving their heart and mind to such endeavors.  This is the individual who is making a conscious choice to embrace fully the ways of this world, knowing that they are turning their back on the Lord, in doing so.

Going back to the start of verse 4, James use the term “adulterous people” and while a shocking term, it does help define those He is addressing.  No one is an accidental adulterer or adulteress.  This may not be what someone planned to do initially, but they have made a definite choice at some point, and this is what James is pointing out. James is writing to the Church, to the Bride of Christ, so the term is applicable.

I would guess that there could be a fair number of church-goers that could identify themselves in this situation, where church is just an obligation, or a club membership that has not real impact on their real life, and choices.  They go to church to keep someone happy, or to keep up appearances, but their hearts and minds are far from Christian, and they have no plans to change. There were people like this in Jame’s day and there are people like this today. 

The important point for us today is to look at our motivation, at our choices in our lives.  God, in His grace, provides the opportunity and invitation for us to allow His Word to pierce our situation, and open our eyes and to embrace change (repentance).  James lays out the invitation in the following verses, encouraging us to submit ourselves to God, to resist the enemy, the spirit and ways of this world, and to come near to God. 

My encouragement today is to take stock of my day, my thoughts, my plans, my life choices, and to make sure that they are all leading me closer to God.  I know that my life here matters, and that my heart (motivations) is what the Lord examines.  I am grateful that He has made a way for me to be in relationship with Him, and He gives me guidance and help. I also know that if there are areas or choices I have made that are counter to God’s ways, that I have the opportunity to change.  The whole point of this word from James is to provide an opportunity to do so, not to announce impending judgment.

I know I am not perfect in my pursuit of Him, nor do I always have right motivations. I am so grateful that He is a loving God who has compassion, mercy, grace and forgiveness towards me.

Today, I am encouraged to choose to draw near to God, that He might draw near to me!

Amen and Amen!