Who Is Your Friend?
24-01-06
James 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Exegetical note: I use NASB 1995. For some reason, they feminized a word (adulterer) which is normally masculine. Perhaps they’re thinking in terms of the church being the “bride” of Christ. Regardless, unfaithful is unfaithful, no matter the gender.
Being brutally practical: If my goal is to introduce people to the joy of a relationship with my Savior then they need to see that my caring for their well being in no way means that I care about them more than I care about my relationship with Jesus.
Example: How can I be a committed husband while directing my affections to other women? To whom will I be loyal? How do we plan a life, raise children, build mutual friendships?
1 John 5:18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Bravely pray: Father, show me how I’m loving the world instead of loving You.