You got to love how James comes right out of the gate and calls it like it is. James chapter 4 deals with drawing close to God. In verses 1-6, James shows us obstacles that we must be cautious not to get caught up in. Verses 1-3 deal with our desires to have what others have and inturn we begin to fight for it. My kids do this all the time.
Verses 4-6 tell us that we need to choose where our allegiance falls…with God or with the World? Verse 4 uses some very strong language, “You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?” The question is do we want friendship with God or friendship with the word? I was confused at first until I did some research and realized that when James uses the word “World” that he is refering to the patterns of human life that are contrary to God’s will. God gave his all for us and he deserves nothing less in return.
Verses 7-10 tell us how we can draw near to God. Humble yourself. Resist the Devil. Come close to God and God will come close to you. Wash your hands. Purify your hearts. He will lift you up!Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering film
I like the way The Message says it too. Very in yo face! I emailed it to my crazy little brother…
I like the way that in less than 7 lines James covers the entire battle we face. Verse 1 is with our flesh, personal sinful nature and desire to pull away from God. Verse 4 is with the world and it’s influences on our spiritual life, and verse 7 is with Satan. Bip, bop bam it can’t get no simpler. One of the shortest books in the Bible, but has the most good stuff.
Love verse 8. Sounds like John 14:21.