What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (Full Version)

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_CANCELLED_ -> What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 12:34:06 PM)

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--James 4:4


I've never fully understood the meaning of this passage. How can we love the gift of life the Lord has given us but not be of the world? And how do we show that we aren't 'friends with the world'?

(I've been wanting to ask this for some time--Thanks to a poster for reminding me by having this in their sig)



rcjames -> RE: What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 1:06:11 PM)

The world is usually refering to the fleshly desires of people; sin. To be part of the sins in the world, or to give approval by being frineds to those that do live in the sin of the world is wrong.

I think this verse puts the proper perspective on the subject;

(2Co 6:17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Now the challenges to this will be that Jesus hung out with sinners, etc. But Jesus did not hang out with sinners nor befriend then; He shared the Gospel with them, but never supported nor encouraged their sin. Big difference.

Share Christ with those still of this world, encourage them to repent from thier wicked ways; but do not befriend them and encourage them to stay on a road to eternal damnation.

Thanks
RC



_CANCELLED_ -> RE: What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 1:13:59 PM)

Excellent explanation, RCJames. I was complicating it too much. Very simply put. Thank you.



john_mark -> RE: What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 2:06:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rcjames

Now the challenges to this will be that Jesus hung out with sinners, etc. But Jesus did not hang out with sinners nor befriend then;


i agree that Jesus never encouraged sin, but when Jesus called the 12 apostles, did He not befriend them and hang out with them? were they not sinners when they met Jesus?



BerianAardvark -> RE: What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 2:46:03 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Won_by_One

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--James 4:4


I've never fully understood the meaning of this passage. How can we love the gift of life the Lord has given us but not be of the world? And how do we show that we aren't 'friends with the world'?

(I've been wanting to ask this for some time--Thanks to a poster for reminding me by having this in their sig)



Vincent (Vincent's word studies) defines the world as it is used in this verse as: "The sum-total of human life in the ordered world, considered apart from, alienated from, and hostile to God, and of the earthly things which seduce from God." Kosmos refers to an ordered system. Here it is the ordered system of which Satan is the head, his fallen angels and demons are his emissaries, and the unsaved of the human race are his subjects, together with those purposes, pursuits, pleasures, practices, and places where God is not wanted. Much in this world-system is religious, cultured, refined, and intellectual. But it is anti-God and anti-Christ.

Adding a bit of context (the previous verse) with its comment about what they ask for being merely something to be spent on their own pleasure, adds credence to Vincent's interpretation.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
(James 4:3-4 )

1st John Chapter 2 has a similar point of view and describes the world as:
For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. (1 John 2:16 AMPLIFIED BIBLE)

Tim



jn1010lf -> RE: What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 2:48:27 PM)

Hello Won_by_One

Who is first place in your heart, Jesus or any host of other things; family, friends, soap operas, evening news, hunting, fishing, job, you name them.



colliefan -> RE: What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 4:24:47 PM)

It means to be caught up into the world's system and see things through its lenses rather than a theocenteric lens.

Take, for example, environmetalism. We are command to take care of the world's resources but we not to worship the earth to the point we cause econmic hurt to the poor. We are to take care of the poor, but if they are able to work and refuse to do so, they are not to eat.

Do we want the world to love and accept us? It will not because its system is against us. But this, in no way, gives us an excuse to act as does Fred Phelps.



SonInMe1 -> RE: What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 6:11:58 PM)

Its my favorite verse in the bible because of where I came from, how long I was in it and the pull of it still in my life. Its a reminder that my old life was wrong, what I am called to do today and to define my walk more clearly.

It means to love the ways of the world is adultry...forsaking your true love for self gratification. It means...where is your heart...truely? It means if your heart has been changed, your actions must follow.

It means the ways of the world are not our ways because of our love relationship with God. He...alone...is the example, not man's ways, not man's traditions, not man's made up doctrines to satisfy himself...and not glorify God.

In our small group bible study we read scripture. The teacher passes out scriptures to read as part of his teaching and the first scripture I had to read...yep, James 4:4. He hands out usually 6 or 7 verses to be read...and I got that one.



sunshine4God -> RE: What does it mean to be a friend of the world? (6/20/2008 11:48:51 PM)

I think it means to go along with all the worldliness of the unsaved.



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