Divine Put-Downs
Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4
Makes Himself – One more look at this verse is probably all we can take for the moment. But one more look is quite revealing. The Greek word used here is kathistatai. It means “to set in place, to constitute, to cause to become” (literally “to put down”). That’s interesting. When we passively accept the propensity to think fondly of the world’s offerings, we put ourselves down in the place of God’s enemies. We occupy enemy territory. We enlist in the devil’s army.
Passive Christianity is nothing more than active disobedience. Passive Christianity is exactly the same as stepping over to the enemy’s camp. No wonder Jesus will not tolerate fence-sitters. Get hot. Get cold. Or get out.
James is quite practical about his practice of obedience to Jesus. You either actively engage in the battle, exercising your orders on behalf of the King, or you belong to the enemy. There is absolutely no room for indecision or apathy. If you share in a propensity to desire what the world has to offer (even if you don’t have it), then you are on the wrong side.
Somewhere along the way, most of us began to believe that we could be Christians without being radical. We thought Christianity was just a higher form of morality. We thought that the book of Deuteronomy was really written by Emily Post. Christian training became a course in proper manners. We ignored the radical Jesus. He was too uncompromising. He might offend someone in our social circles (and, after all, those circles are very important if you want to get ahead). We became tolerant (what a wonderful propaganda word). But James will not let us slip away so easily. If you aren’t actively applying the character, attitude and actions of Jesus, you are the enemy! Believe me, there are a lot of soldiers in the enemy’s army attending church on Sunday. They think that Jesus has nothing to say about their hiring policies (we must show diversity), about their pricing practices (if we don’t take advantage of this, someone else will), their payment programs (what does mercy have to do with foreclosures) or their obligation to community (charity begins at home). These people are not your brothers and sisters. They are the enemy. Their allegiance belongs to the desire to be successful and recognized in this world.
Of course, because they are the enemy, you get to bless them, pray for them, love them, care for them and, most of all, suffer for them. But you knew that. Jesus is quite radical about enemies too.
Where have you put down your name, your effort and your reputation? No one will do it for you. You get to decide whose friend you will be.
