Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
James 4: 4
4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
The followers of Christ are to separate themselves from sinners, choosing their society only when there is opportunity to do them good. We cannot be too decided in shunning the company of those who exert an influence to draw us away from God. While we pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” we are to shun temptation, so far as possible. {PP 458.2}
The warning is clear- the friendship of the world is opposed to God, making the one who is a friend of the world an enemy with God. Christians are to choose their company wisely and avoid those who exert a negative influence, which draws them away from God. However, if there is an opportunity to evangelize, to do someone good, then it becomes a Christian’s duty to engage in the company of a sinner to bring the truth of God into their life. Jesus spent His days engaged with the sinners of the world, spreading the healing truths of the Word as food to their souls. Jesus is our true friend indeed and there is nothing in the world that compares. Resist the devil and he will flee from you, draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.
Dear God,
We thank You for Your love and Your friendship. For being our friend while we live in this sinful world. We pray for Your presence while we are out doing Your business. We pray we may help bring others to the foot of Your throne that they may receive Your saving truth. We pray that You place a hedge around us to separate us from sinners, where the evils and temptations of this world abound. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers and for giving us the victory over sin. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
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