Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Luke 11:14-28 and James 4:1-10

We may read James 4:4 and feel that he is being terribly harsh when he writes to warn his readers of the danger of having a divided heart, with one foot in the world and one in the Kingdom, so to speak. He is decidedly blunt when he writes:

“⁴ You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

James was warning that God, as our Covenant partner, expects faithfulness. To love the world in opposition to God, or to water down our love for God by allowing love for the things of the world to take root in us, is akin to adultery. That is indeed very direct! But, in fact, James was merely echoing the words of Jesus, who spoke in terms that were equally tough and even offensive in Luke 11 when He pointed out that the kingdom of Satan stands at war with the kingdom of God and that one was either in this kingdom or that. Luke 11:17 says,

“¹⁷ Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: ‘Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall … ²³ ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Neither James nor Jesus were being harsh or unkind. They were being honest. They were both putting before us a choice. Love God or love the world. Submit to the rulership of the LORD or allow your own desires to rule over you and enslave you. Which will it be?

Lord Jesus, today I choose. I choose YOU! Holy Spirit empower me to live out that choice, not just today, but for the rest of my life. Amen!