The Christian’s Relationship to the World - 03/24/2024

As part of the effort of James to help Christians be living by God’s wisdom, he speaks to them about their relationship to the world. He uses some bold and harsh words to describe the relationship the Christian is to have with the world (James 4:4).

By using the word “world” in this context, James is not speaking of what God created, because God said in Genesis that it was good. Neither is James speaking of the human beings in the world, because again God said it was good. James is talking about the ethos of a society, the beliefs and aspirations practiced by a group of people. He is talking about their lifestyle and the philosophy of living their life.

The first harsh word James uses is “adulteress.” This is a word commonly used in the Old Testament to describe God’s people when they reverted back to idolatry. God considered Israel His bride, just like the church is the bride of Christ. Israel was no longer faithful to God, because they had turned to the “foreign gods.”

When Christians have a “friendship with the world,” James says they are hostile “toward God.” They have a “fondness” for the way the world lives and their mindset in living their lives. Such behavior shows a lack of “fondness” for God. It is in opposition to God.

When James uses the word “hostility” we might think he uses a harsh word. However, James is wanting to make sure the reader understands the severity of the situation. He wants us to know that if we are friends with the world, then we are in strong opposition to God.

“Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of G0d,” James says. Indeed, very strong language. By using the word “enemy” of God, James is saying a person is opposing the very mind of God. It is a deep-seated dislike for the things of God. Some would even say it is a hatred for God.

James is telling his readers we must have a love for God. We must embrace God’s way of thinking and His practices. We cannot be an enemy of God, we must be a “friend” of God. We must have a fondness for Him.

James is making it very clear that God and the world are in opposition to each other when it comes to the philosophy of life and the way life is lived. As Christians, we cannot have a relationship with the world if we are going to have a relationship with God. Only by having a genuine friendship with God will a Christian be living God’s way. - cgm

Scriptural quotations from the NASB1995.