James 4:1-4
verse 4: You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
These are harsh words. It Is tempting, I suppose, to serve “the world”. The world is everywhere, everyone, everything at times. But my master is Jesus. If I turn to the world for my needs and my hope, I will surely be disappointed. In this scripture, I see that temptation can lead to turning to the easy fix.
Holy One, you are steadfast and true, yesterday, today and tomorrow. You are the source of everything I have, everything I am. Forgive me when I turn away, even for a moment. You are my light. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Kay
James 4:3 - “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.”
The so-called “prosperity gospel” is nothing more than yielding to the temptation of possessions. So many have been taken advantage of by religious charlatans who preach the false gospel of “name it and claim it.” Ultimately, they ask and do not receive because they ask wrongly. The “reward” to people of faith referred to in Hebrews is one of eternal life with God, whether one is rich or poor or something in between. Our prayers should be in intercession for others and for our genuine physical and spiritual needs. Janis Joplin’s “O Lord, Won’t You Buy Me…
James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means hatred against God Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (And my favorite) Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
(There is no question about the directness of these verses) The world is an amazing place because God created it and called it good.He created the world out of nothing. He created all things into existence: Light, dark, air, water, earth, plants, animals… Everything. What’s amazing is th…
James 4:1-4. From the “Message” translation Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. In speaking to Christians scattered in the region, James is also speaking directly to us and the world we are living in.…