Why Can't We Be Friends with the World?

• As Abraham was the "Friend of God"

Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

• In the same way, the Christian cannot be "the friend of the world"

James 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.

Introduction

a. The Christian and the World

The Christian should have at the very least an uncomfortable (awkward) relationship with the world.

The Christian needs this fight. This resistance to all that is carnal and earthly helps define and give purpose to the church.

The Christian borrowing the tools created or at least sharpened by Hollywood or Nashville is a concession.

b. Friendship

Exodus 33:11 — And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. …

De 13:6 — If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, … [which is as thine own soul]

• God put a Difference

Ex 11:7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

Romans 12:18 tells us to live peacably with all men, "as much as possible".

Where are the conflicts with the world, Why are there such conflicts and should thse even be in the first place?

1. Agreement. Are We Agreed?

• In company with; in accord: in complete agreement

Amos 3:3 — Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

2 Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. [Which way are we going?]

Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: [vs. 18 your agreement with hell shall not stand;]

2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

• The Jews in their rage spoke the inverse of this truth:

Joh 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. [Thou art not Caeasar's friend]

Are we in complete agreement on:

• Who is God?
• How Shall we live our life?
• What is truth?

2. Their Portion in this Life

• "Having Their Portion IN THIS LIFE" Ps 17:14 .. which have their portion in this life

Proverbs 13-15 — Ps 17:13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: 14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. 15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Matt 6:19 — Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

3. Their Trust is in their Prosperity

Not only having "their portion" in this life, but this portion "has them".

Ps 73:12 — Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Proverbs 11:28 — He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. [The world says "something must be wrong" like Job's comforters.]

4. They Have Their God (no two Gods in one house)

Matthew 6:24 — No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

• John 8:44 You are of your father the devil

• Whom do I serve?

Conclusion - The Resistance

• Love not the World, Friend of the World = Enemy of God,

The church needs this fight. This resistance to all that is carnal and earthly helps define and give purpose to the church. The Christian victim to the devil or in harmony with the world is a RED FLAG -- something is not how it should be!

Judg 5:12 ¶ Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.

Ro 13:11 ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

The church borrowing the tools created or at least sharpened by Hollywood or Nashville is a concession in the resistance.

2 Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

• Serving God in isolation is not enough. IN but not OF the world. Serve God with DISTINCTION. The word "distinction," meanwhile, "indicates that the soldier did something above what is expected of a soldier of the same grade and rank,"

John Quincy Adams held more important offices than anyone else in the history of the U.S. He served with distinction as president, senator, congressman, minister to major European powers, and participated in various capacities in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and events leading to the Civil War. Yet, at age 70, with much of that behind him, he wrote, "My whole life has been a succession of disappointments. I can scarcely recollect a single instance of success in anything that I ever undertook."