James 4-5

“He who makes himself a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (4:4).  Even though God created our beautiful world, sin has entered it, and much of it is broken and corrupt.  James said that we can either pursue sinful satisfaction and pleasures, or we can pursue God.  Living a “double-minded” life is dangerous and exhausting (v8).  God is “jealous” (v5); He wants us to love Him whole-heartedly, because He knows that any other kind of life will ultimately destroy us (v1-2). 

Being God’s friend means trusting Him enough to obey, now and in the future, believing that He keeps His promises (4:15; 5:7-11).