The Tragedy of a Worldly Life

James 4:4-10

1) He says we are saved out of the world.

2) He says we are still in this world.

3) He says we are not to be of the world.

4) He says He sends us into the world.

I.  The sinfulness of a worldly life.

(1) Worldliness is a sin against love. “Adulterers and adulteresses!”

(2) Worldliness is a sin against light. “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?”

(3) Worldliness is a sin against liberty. “Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

II. The seriousness of the worldly life.

(1) Worldliness is serious because it rejects the person of the Lord. “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’?”

(2) Worldliness also refuses the provision of the Lord. “But He gives more grace.”

“Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.