With Halloween just around the corner the debates of it’s role in the life of a Christian have once again resurfaced. I have seen a meme floating around the last few weeks that troubles me a bit. It says something to the effect of: Jesus knows the difference between devil worship and your 5 year old dressed like a dinosaur. While this statement may be true, it misses the whole point of contention. While Jesus has no problem discerning the cute from the cunning, your 5 year old doesn’t possess the same acumen.
Despite the introduction, this blog actually has little to do with Halloween and a lot to do with hallowed hearts! We serve a God who is fiercely loyal to us, and he expects the same loyalty in return.
If you have children, or have taken care of young children, it is likely that in a moment of crisis you spoke sternly to them in order to immediately acquire their attention and halt a potentially dangerous situation. I believe this is the intention behind James words in the following passage:
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: if you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, God opposed the proud but gives grace to the humble. So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:4-8
If you weren’t sure before, certainly you understand from this passage, that God wants us to be true to him. Often, like our earlier example, we assume a one-sided posture. We could read this like a divine list of demands issued by a jealous God. I believe there is so much more intended to be garnered here.
When we look beyond what God is asking and consider why he is asking it, I think we get closer to the heart of our loving Father. We often stumble over the demands of holiness when we look at it as a list of rules we must follow in order to please God.
What we fail to realize is that living as a follower of Jesus in a fallen world is somewhat equivalent to crossing a minefield. The enemy has carefully strewn and buried deadly traps and snares, at times in the most unexpected places. Holiness is a God-given tactical overlay revealing the enemies schemes and providing safe passage through the hazardous terrain.
While the God we serve is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY and sin cannot exist in his presence, he is also looking out for our good. Those silly rules the Children of Israel had to follow, like washing their hands, and not eating meat from dead animals they found lying around in the dessert, were actually providing protection from sickness and disease.
So when God calls us to abstain from friendship with the world we must understand that this is for our benefit as well as His. He understands our weakness. He knows how quickly many of us can succumb to addiction, even to things that in the right measure are good and helpful.
The world is moving at warp speed. Families are stretched thin trying to get their kids to all of their activities. Friendship with the world tempts us to exchange our loyalty to Godly pursuits for carnal pastimes.
While the occasional scheduling conflict is pretty inconsequential, if we are not on guard we can find ourselves replacing fellowship and discipleship with a non-stop treadmill of stuff on a consistent basis.
Friendship with the world is much more likely to sneak up on us in this manner than an outright and obvious spiritual assault. The world asks for just a little bit moor and we relinquish it, failing to acknowledge the growing distance between God and ourselves.
God isn’t trying to keep us from enjoying the good stuff. There are times when the only mature option is to trust His hand.
For the LORD God is our sun and shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. Psalm 84:11-12
I don’t claim to understand the ways of the LORD. I also don’t claim to have this unwavering trust thing down. I can go from contented peace to impatient doubt at a moment’s notice. But when I stop and remember who it is that I serve, I find the strength to pray along with Jesus:
Father, if you are willing…Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Luke 22:42
May we always choose friendship with God over the allure of the world.
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