LEARNING DAILY

James 4:4, 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.

James is writing directly to those who claim to follow Christ but find themselves tangled up with worldly desires and affections. He is very clear: when one chooses to be a friend of the world, he is choosing to be an enemy of God. When James writes “adulterous people”, he is writing, he is highlighting a betrayal of trust, a prioritizing of worldly values over a commitment to God. These worldly values begin with living according to worldly wisdom which says to be successful, one must do whatever it takes to get what we want out of life. It says to take care of yourself because no one else is going to.

The apostle John wrote “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15). Make no mistake, these writers are clearly saying that those who love the world, the fallen, man-centered, way of life, cannot really love God. By seeking to be friends of this world, seeking the fame, fortune, and approval of others before seeking God, puts himself at odds with God.

 Tim Keller wrote, “To love the world is to be in a conflict with God. We must choose our allegiances wisely because what we embrace will ultimately shape who we become.” I want to encourage each person reading this to do what Keller said, “choose our allegiances wisely!” When we begin to desire things of this world more than we desire the things of God, we commit “spiritual adultery”. Jesus warned the church of Ephesus about this when He told them, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:4). Leaving something implies personal responsibility. If this is you, may I encourage you to ask for forgiveness, change your ways seek to follow Him by walking the narrow way every day. Read verse 5 in Revelation 2! Read/study/meditate on God’s Word. Spend time in prayer. Be obedient to His Word as you walk with Him. Have a hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness and seek His kingdom before all else (Matthew 5:6 and 6:33).

The days we live in are evil. As you have witnessed on the news, no one is promised another day. I am tired of hearing the commentators making these atrocities a matter of the left versus the right. No! It is a spiritual battle, good versus evil. No, this world is not getting better; it is growing worse. Evil is more open, challenging and trying to destroy the Word of God and those who are walking in it. Believer, you cannot ignore these things any longer. God is calling each of us to walk humbly with Him (Proverbs 3:34), putting the world’s man-centered life behind. Doing so may mean for you to examine your priorities, your goals, your desires. Do they conflict with walking the narrow way and being obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ? There is no better time to consider your loyalties; strengthen your loyalty to God and be stronger in resisting worldly attractions. Understand what it means to be true believers of Jesus Christ, who make choices that reflect our love for Him each day!