James 4-5

“Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (4:4). James urges us to live whole-heartedly for God, because it is impossible to serve both God and the world at the same time. Rather than slandering one another (4:4) or chasing after wealth (5:1-5) and sinful pleasures (4:3), we are called to resist the devil and chase after God (4:7-8). Our patient efforts to follow Jesus and influence others for him (5:7-11; 20), for ourselves and for others, will eventually yield fruit.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you” (4:8). Coasting or staying in neutral is impossible; we either are walking away from God or moving closer to him.