"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealousy"?
choosing
faithfulness
Are James’ readers literally adulteresses? Throughout the Old Testament, the people of
God are referred to as God’s “bride”.
The purpose of marriage is not to engage, and then turn affections
elsewhere. Marriage is not a list of “do not” rules. Marriage is for procreation, and for the
benefit and enjoyment of both parties.
In a truly loving relationship, the heart is captivated, and devotion is
chosen. This is the picture given to
reflect God’s love for you and me. If we
accept and receive that love and that commitment, it is only reasonable that
faithfulness be expected.
Is it any surprise God does not want us to ask for things that offer only
temporary satisfaction and long term degradation? It would be illogical for Him to affirm my
flirtations with the things that draw my love away from Him and make it
difficult for me to receive His love.
And if I claim to belong to God, but I long for and pursue things that
lead me away from Him, I commit spiritual adultery. If the Spirit of God yearns over me
jealously, it is not the sort of petty self-serving jealously I am so familiar
with in myself. His is a jealousy
directed at the things that would draw my love and satisfaction away from its
proper, safe, healthy good place—with Him!
Again, I quote S.J.Hill, “The revelation of the Lord’s love and
His enjoyment of our lives will also awaken in us the ability to love and enjoy
Him. The more we enjoy Him, the easier
it will be to obey Him. Obedience that
is born out of the revelation of His deep affection for us always produces the
strongest commitment.”[1]
How committed are you to the lover of your soul? If you sense a lack here, the answer probably
is not to muster up all your willpower, or get motivated by fear or hype. The answer is relationship. How do you do relationship with people? This really isn’t that different, except that
it is even better because the other party not only has your best interest in
mind, He has the power and the grace to accomplish it. Spend time today contemplating God’s beautiful
creation, His exquisite expressions of love in Jesus, and the fact that He has
given you the opportunity and invitation to belong to Him, fully and always.
Read
and Pray: Jer. 32:37-41,
Psalm 23, 2 Thess. 1:11-12
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