Wednesday 23/1/13

James 4:4-5 ESV

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. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?

Being a friend of the world, following the worldliness way, will make us an enemy of God. The world here does not mean the people, but the power, the order, the principles, and the rules of this world. Take God's commandment - love your neighbor as yourself. Many people were persecuted, even killed, when they tried to shelter the Jews from Hitler's persecution. Or another - love your enemies and do good to those that hate you. Many were persecuted when they did not show the hatred to the other side (like the Jews and Samaritans). Obeying God sometime means disobeying the rules of the world, thus attracting its persecution.

Inversely, follow Godly way, although may make us an enemy of the world, makes us a friend of God. God is jealous for our soul and our affections. So our love gor Him and His way, despite the world's persecution, gives Him joy and draws us closer. And as the almighty God, our Lord and God, He can richly reward our affection, from our daily providence, to giving joy in our heart, the song in the night in the midst of difficulties, to eternal life.