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The world cannot stand up to the truth because it lives a lie.
It fears the cross, for the cross exposes its deceit.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Would you say that friendship with God is important to you?

James chapter four paints a sobering picture: “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (v. 4).

Those are hard words to hear, right? But let’s get clear on what James is saying, and what he’s not saying.

James is not talking about a friendship with the beauty of creation or the goodness of life. When he writes of the world, he’s alluding to the systems, the patterns, the temptations that lure us away from God’s heart—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

God will not be friendly toward the things that destroy us. He loves us too much to let us settle for less than what we were made for. And so, He resists us in our pride. Not because He’s cruel, but because He’s good. Because He knows that pride will rot our souls, twist our desires, turn us away from what is truly life.

James also writes that God yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us. The Father is jealous for you; not in a petty way, but in a fierce, protective, holy way. He is jealous for your heart because He knows who and what you were created for.

God’s jealousy is His grace.

James goes on to write, “But [God] gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

When we humble ourselves, when we stop grasping for what will never satisfy, God pours out His grace. He fills the cracks and fissures of our soul with His presence, with His healing, with the balm of His love.

And then James gives us the most amazing invitation: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” It’s that simple. It’s that profound.

ResponD

This week, if you feel the tug of the world’s systems pulling at your heart, if you sense the ache of emptiness from chasing what will never fill you, stop. Humble yourself. Draw near. Let God fill you with His grace, His presence, His love.

Closing Thoughts

Here’s my prayer for you this week,

Father, thank You for loving me enough to resist my pride.
Thank You for drawing near to me when I draw near to You with a humble heart.
Help me to let go of the empty things that can never satisfy my soul,
Help me run to you, the only One who can heal me.
Fill me with Your grace,
pour Your presence into the broken places of my life,
and teach me to find my life in You. Amen.

Drawing near with you,

Addison

P.S. I mention this each time because we always have new people—hello, if that’s you!— but if you don’t have the Words with God book yet, be sure to grab it from Amazon or the Messenger Store. But don’t take my word for it . . .

“This was a beautifully written book. I learned things I truly never thought about while praying. Father, forgiveness, the Lord’s prayer in its fullest. The Prayer. Buy this book you won’t regret it. The journey it takes you on is beyond worth it. I’m going to buy more copies for friends as well.” —Ruth