John MacArthur is a prolific Christian author. He has written numerous commentaries and study guides. I've been studying the book of James lately using MacArthur's study guide James: Guidelines for a Happy Christian Life. In the chapter covering verses 4:1-12, James is addressing one's attitude toward the world. MacArthur says "the central truth in this passage is, 'Friendship with the world is enmity with God (4:4).'" There are several great points to MacArthur's commentary on this portion of text I thought I'd share with you, but first let me give you MacArthur's explanation of the word "The World."
The World: The Greek word used here is Kosmos. It does not refer to the physical earth or universe but rather to the spiritual reality of the man-centered, satan directed system of this present age, which is hostile to God and God's people.
1. A continuing, habitual friendship with the world is grounded in human wisdom and is evidence of unbelief.
2. The goal of the world is self-glory, self-fulfillment, self-indulgence, self-satisfaction, and every other form of self-serving, all of which amounts to hostility towards God.
3. The world's philosophies, ideologies and much that it offers may appear attractive and appealing, but that is deception.
4. True joy, peace, happiness, meaning, hope and fulfillment in life come only from God; unbelievers are unwilling to ask for them on God's terms because they refuse to submit to Him or acknowledge their dependence on Him.
5. Those with a deep and intimate longing for the things of the world give evidence that they are not redeemed.
6. Those that live in worldly lusts give evidence that their faith is not genuine.
7. All people are either under the lordship of Christ or the lordship of satan; there is NO middle ground.
MacArthur ends the chapters of this commentary with the "Truth for Today" and so I will end this post with this chapter's "Truth for Today."
"Friendship with the world and friendship with God are mutually exclusive. Christians have a nature so utterly distinct form the lovers of the world, the followers of satan, that they should never entertain any of the ways or hold any of the loyalties that characterize unbelievers. For believers to pursue worldly things goes against the grain of their new nature, and they cannot be comfortable or satisfied until they renounce those things and return to their first love."
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