Musing – Does God want us to “Get along” with the World?

 Hebraic Musing – Does God want us to “Get along” with the World?

I don’t think so.  What does James 4:4 call us to do?  And what’s the warning?  “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.” NIV   What does the world want us to do?  A – Get along, don’t offend, be nice, keep friends, be sweet, don’t talk about religion, be agreeable, don’t disagree, etc.

God is in conflict with the fallen world system; and He is opposed to the fallen and idolatrous desires of the world.  We are in conflict with God when we make friends with the world’s ways.  God calls it adultery.  He wants to be our lover; we are not to be lovers of the fallen world system.  God is jealous for our affections!

The source of the relational conflict is due to a failure to please God as described in verses vs.2&3, before 4:4: “You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”  Ouch, I took some of that personally!

Do we find ourselves trying to be friends of the world system in rebellion against God?  What did Jesus say about serving two masters?  “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24 NIV   And we will be convicted of compromise by the Holy Spirit living in us.

Corinth was a very worldly city, prospering at the juncture of major trade routes.  Paul needed to confront their “worldliness”!  Thiers was a divided culture rife with spiritual differences; therefore, the Corinthians didn’t see the need for unity or even the benefit of unity.  They struggled with breaking from worldly ideology (Prosperity, wickedness, temple prostitutes, pagan culture, etc.)   Thus they were unwilling to separate from their cultural ideology(s).  They are asking “if we’re free in Christ, how free are we?”  Just like immature, self-centered and selfish Christians of today, they are always concerned with how much freedom they have.  Paul says “You’re asking the wrong question.”  If you are worried about your freedom, you are on the road to disaster!  Peter said “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

We serve a jealous God.  “They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols.” Deut.32:16;  and if we create and worship idols, “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,” Exod.20:5 (just two of many examples of God’s jealousy!)  Many Christians are counting on God’s grace, BUT grace is never received by the proud.  Grace requires humility.  “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6b

James provides us with the remedy to this challenge we all face.  “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:7-10  To humble oneself, practice self-reflection, acknowledge your limitations, and cultivate empathy towards others.

Points to Ponder

I was taught to “get along” in this world by not discussing religion or politics. 
Later I realized, “What else is important?”

What’s the most lovable thing you can do for your unsaved neighbor?

Do Christians need to be ready to separate themselves from culture and worldliness?
Might we need to “go against the grain” sometimes?

To humble oneself –
practice self-reflection, acknowledge your limitations, cultivate empathy towards others.

♫  Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord  And he will lift you up;.  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          July 15, 2025   (Musing 1 of 2)         
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by Jason Buss’ message “Against the Grain” - Imanuel Baptist on July 20, 2025