24—Forty Days with James: The Worldly Church

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.James 4:4-6The adultery referred to in James 4:4 refers to the marriage between YHWH and his people (Isa 54:1-6; Jer 2:2).OT condemnations of spiritual infidelity: Isa 1:21; 50:1; 57:3; Jer 3:7-10, 20; 13:27; Ezek 16:23-26, 38; 23:45; Hos 1-3; 9:1.NT condemnations: Matt 12:39; 16:4; Mark 8:38; 2 Cor 11:1-2; Eph 5:22-23; Rev 19:7; 21:9.Abraham was not a friend of the world, but a friend of God (2:23).See also 1 John 2:15-17.Areas of worldliness:Worldly language, dress, entertainment…Worldly values: security, wealth, materialism, conspicuous consumption…Befriending the world by resorting to its methods in order to advance God’s kingdom.Hyper-patriotism and nationalism. Waging war with the weapons of the world (2 Cor 10).Failing to care about those in the greatest need. Don’t say, "My town is prosperous, and there are plenty of people better off than me." Let’s lift our eyes and consider the entire world. Given the instant access nearly all of us have to information globally, we have no excuse for not being informed, and even less for not caring!V.5 is difficult, but however it is translated, or however we understand it, the passage points to our covenant relationship with the Lord, who is our husband. That is, we the church are the bride of Christ, and must not share our affections with another lover.V.6 is a strong biblical principle“The proud” are not merely those who don’t take input well. The proud are those who side with the high and mighty and the powerful.James is spotlighting pride and confidence in our own abilities and policies, which are actually at odds with God’s will, to achieve our own goals, like security, power, property, wealth, control.In James’s day, final deliverance did not come from compromise with the Romans (Sadducees) or armed revolt against them (Zealots), but from trusting in the Lord. The political route led to physical and spiritual disaster.Next: Submit, resist, draw near, wash, and be purified