James 4: A Friend of the World is No Friend of God (God is Jealous!)

Rev. Mark Loder, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church and School in Howard Lake, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study James 4.

James here warns his readers against giving into worldly passions. More than that, he reminds them that “whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (v.4) In yet another chapter chocked full of wisdom from the Apostle, believers are commanded to seek God above all things since no one knows what the next day will bring. But how do we live in this tension: rejecting friendship with the world, yet living in the world and loving others as Christ has loved us?

Thy Strong Word dips back into the New Testament for a week only with a careful examination of the Epistle of Saint James. Once called an “epistle of straw” by Martin Luther, many think this meant he thought this letter was not fit for Scripture. Not so! In this brief series, each chapter will be explored to reveal not only how important the Apostle James’ inspired message was for the Christians of his day, but how much we need to learn its lessons today.