Green and White

A Series on the book of James
Warning against worldliness
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
James 4:1-10 

[James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. In some ways, it’s similar to Old Testament wisdom literature like Proverbs. It includes many practical applications to help a believer grow in their faith. In this series, we will look at the wisdom of James’ letter and how it applies to our lives.]

 

Being a faithful Michigan State alum and fan, I have a closet full of green and white gear. There are sweatshirts, collared pullovers, polo shirts, hoodies and tons of t-shirts. That doesn’t even include the slippers, socks, gloves, hats, stocking cap, or jacket; or any of the other memorabilia that are displayed in my office.

 

Despite this, I often think twice about whether I’m going to wear something green and white outside of our house. Understand that in Columbus, Ohio – the heart of Buckeye country – if you wear anything other than scarlet and gray, you stick out like a sore thumb and run the risk of suffering mild to severe harassment.

 

Historically, the Israelites were very good at fitting into different cultures. They’d done so ever since Abram followed God’s call to Canaan. They learned how as slaves in Egypt; as nomads in the Promised Land; as exiles in Assyria and Babylon. They learned to fit in by adopting the gods of the local culture. That was a problem!

 

The Jewish Christians that James wrote had this same problem. They had become better friends with the world than they were with Jesus. They had adopted the values of the world rather than the values of Christ. They wanted what they didn’t have but didn’t ask the Lord. Therefore, James wrote bluntly.

 

⁴ You are like an unfaithful wife who loves her husband’s enemies. Don’t you realize that making friends with God’s enemies—the evil pleasures of this world—makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot also be a friend of God.        TLB

 

The good news is that God didn’t file for divorce because they were unfaithful. He didn’t reject them. Instead, he faithfully stayed with them, always inviting them to return to him.

 

⁵ Or what do you think the Scripture means when it says that the Holy Spirit, whom God has placed within us, watches over us with tender jealousy?                     TLB

 

But it wasn’t meant to be just a one-way relationship. They needed to reciprocate. They needed to reach out to the Lord.

 

⁷ So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him.        TLB

 

Like the Jewish Christians who had been scattered because of the persecution, we live in a secular world that is hostile towards God. The world has a different value system and different gods. Despite this, it’s tempting to try and fit in.

 

Wearing green and white makes me stand out. I’d rather fit in. But, as a Christian I’m not called to fit in, but to follow. To follow the Lord no matter where he leads; no matter how different I look; no matter what other gods appeal to me.

 

Here’s what Paul wrote to the Roman believers about living in a secular world.

 

 ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  NIV    Romans 12

Or in another translation:

² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.   NLT   Romans 12

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

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