Divided loyalty toward God is like adultery against one's spouse. James 4:4-
Friendship with the world's values makes us enemies of God. (This
does not mean we are not to cultivate relationships with non-
Actually, what often happens is that many people try to have both worlds. They
try to love God and do their own will. Judas Iscariot tried both worlds; and Simon
Peter, for a long time wanted both, as did the rich young ruler (Luke 18:23). James
says this is impossible. Being responsible to God means being His servant totally—body,
mind and spirit—for His employ and for His glory.
Verse 5 is more than a bit problematic
but roughly means, “Do you think Scripture is fooling when it says 'God jealously
wants us for His own'?” Scholars disagree over what specific Scripture passage James
is referring to. Some have suggested that it might be “a poetical rendering” of Exodus
20:5. On the other hand, James may be merely invoking a broad truth rather than citing
a particular verse. In any case, the point is that God is not playing games; He wants
us for His own and is giving us the grace to follow Him. The only question is whether
we are humble ourselves enough to ask for His help.
How does God help? We may be surprised
by James's answer: God gives us more grace. Grace! It's a word not always associated
with this apostle, but James loved grace. Having rained bad news upon bad news, shaming
sinners into contrition, he suddenly steps back and lets the clouds lift.
Grace! Verse
6 comes like a songbird in the midst of a ruthless, driving windstorm. The thunder
is still very much in the picture—we can still feel its shock waves—but fresh grace
now breaks through. Paraphrasing Proverbs 3:34, James says that God gives grace to
the humble and lowly.
He goes on to say, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close
to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided
between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be
sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead
of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honour.” James
4: 7-
James has now made an important turn in emphasis. In these verses he doesn't
harp on what is wrong, but tells what to do. He becomes a spiritual coach, a friend,
a strong ally. Formulating a strong Jewish-
That
appeal is emotional, yet rational. Note the colourful language James employs. We
are to take action: Submit to God, resist the devil. If we will come near to God,
He will come near to us. What! Are we hesitating? We should wash our hands and purify
our hearts. Only the double-
Verses 7-
Surely, James's
conclusion gives the sought-
Michael W. Cochran
www.mikecochran.org
Divided Loyalties