Week 6 - James 4:1-10

This week, echoing the Sermon on the Mount, James calls us a murderer and an adulterer (James 4:1-4).  Jesus had put it this way:

Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’  

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Matthew 5:27-28

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.’

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

James calls it a "friendship" with the world (James 4:4).  It is a polite word indeed.  He is describing an adulterous relationship that stirs the deepest jealousy in God even while we are caught needing still to wash our hands (James 4:8).

Song of Solomon 8:6-8

Set me as a seal upon your heart,

    as a seal upon your arm,

for love is strong as death,

    jealousy is fierce as the grave.

Its flashes are flashes of fire,

    the very flame of the Lord.

Many waters cannot quench love,

    neither can floods drown it.

If a man offered for love

    all the wealth of his house,

    he[ would be utterly despised.

Fortunately, our lover still yearns for us and will graciously accept us back.  To do so, James echos three of the Beatitudes, when he asks us to "Let your laughter be turned to mourning" (James 4:9).

Matthew 5:3-5

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Who is it that we are mourning?  It is Christ.  We cannot ever forget the cost (Luke 19:42).

How will we inherit the earth?  The prince of this world will be destroyed (Ephesians 2:1-3).