A New Nature

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Having seen conflict with self and others in James 4:1-3, we now read of the conflict with God in James 4:4-6.

“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.” 

Here we see hostility toward God, complete disregard of God’s word (scripture), and personal pride all bringing the person into conflict with God.  

As Christians, the pursuit of worldly things goes against the grain of their new nature.  They cannot become at peace until they renounce those worldly desires and return to their first and true love, Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  They are in a state of spiritual adultery against their Lord and Savior.  We hear in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

Truly if scripture is held as God’s perfect word, then they must trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation.  In John 5:39-40, Jesus himself tells us just that, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”  Truly God’s holy words lead us to the cross and eternal life in Jesus our Lord and Savior. 

Let’s pray for each other that we will not fall prey to the temptations of the world and be focused completely on the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Blessings,
Bill Wessel