Friends with the World

James 4:4-6 ⁽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.” (NIV)

        In today’s desire for fame and popularity, many Christians have taken on the spirit of compromise. The world says that you have to be like this in order to get that. However, God has called us to be a peculiar people set apart for His holiness. He actually tells us to come out of the mist of confusion. Revelation 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "'Come out of her, my people,' so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; (NIV) What is this confusion? It is a web of sin intertwined with the things of God. However, Jesus told us that no one can serve two masters although many in the body of Christ is trying to do exactly that. Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (NIV)

        We see much compromise in the body of Christ through music, television programs, dress, and even issues with regards to God’s law such as abortion and homosexuality. Many of these issues shouldn’t be up for debate because they are already outlined in God’s word, but unfortunately they are. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ⁽⁹⁾Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ⁽¹⁰⁾nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (NIV)

The church is full of compromise, while the world is banning together as one. How is it that we allow the devil to play us like a game, while knowing what the final outcome will be for him and those who follow? Matthew 25:41 Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (NIV) It is because many of us have played into his hands by allowing ourselves to be deceived. 

 

 

     The Apostle James lets us know that we cannot be a part of the world and call ourselves the Body of Christ. If we choose to be one with the world, then we are then an enemy of God. God only calls us friend when we wholeheartedly serve Him. John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (NIV) God has shared with us everything that we need to know in order to be true followers of His and for the sake of His kingdom.

The choice is up to us. God wants men of standard. Just as Jesus chose twelve disciples to follow Him, He is still calling for us to be followers today. Will you accept the call? Will you say goodbye to the world and surrender your all to Him? He is waiting for you today.

 

The Book of James: 30 Days of Devotion for Men by K L Rich is available on Amazon.com.