Is it really possible to date multiple people at the same time? Is it possible to have a real "dating" relationship with more than one person at a time? Is it possible to be engaged to two or more people at the same time? It is possible to have a solid marriage relationship and be seeing someone else on the side? My guess is some people would think it is? But then again, we would probably define "solid relationship" or "solid marriage" differently. Generally we call this "two-timing." And although, some guys might fantasize about pulling it off, it's a practice of disgust among the masses.
James simply says in this passage, that you can't two-time God. It just doesn't work. You can't be in love with God and pursue Him and in love with the world and pursue it at the same time. The two are going in opposite directions. The Bible says that God is a jealous God. He wants our sole allegiance, heart, and mind. To enter a relationship with God and then to have an affair with the world is virtually grounds for divorce in God's eyes.
To become a friend of the world is to become an enemy of God. To become involved with the world places you in opposition to God. When we embrace the world the world as a friend or love interest, we dismiss God as significant to us. We are saying we don't really need Him in our life. We take on a form of arrogance, which in turn creates the opposition with God.
But those who humble themselves, who reach out for God, who pursue Him, He embraces. He pours His grace upon them and draws them close to Him.
The irony is that according to John 3:16 God loves the world. He's sees the death and destruction and pain and heartache and deception that's in the world and He reaches out with hope through His son Jesus. He invites people from the world to take His hand, experience His love and grace and freedom.
Too often people read this passage in James 4 and think they have to distance themselves from the world. They isolate themselves from the world instead of extending Christ to the world. James is saying don't flirt with the world, don't have an affair the with world, but he's not saying to go live in a monastery either. Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach His Good News to everyone. To do that you have to relate to it, but you don't have to get in bed with it.
Bottom line: As a follower of Christ, I have to be in the world, but I don't have to embrace its practices or fall to its enticements. I must pursue my love relationship with God. If I pursue my love relationship with God I should develop His passion. As I develop His passion, I'm gonna want to share His Good News to others around me.
God, thanks for wanting a relationship with me. Forgive my flirtatious encounters with the world. I know that you alone have the words of eternal life. I'm pursuing you.
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