In verses 13-18, James contrasts two kinds of wisdom. One is from the Lord and produces the qualities of God’s character. The other is demonic and produces brokenness. It would seem that the choice between the two would be simple and obvious. But James makes this contrast to implore the church to recognize and choose godly wisdom, knowing that worldly wisdom often seems more appealing and is a dangerous temptress.

All relationships require some level of separation. Marriage requires "forsaking all others," citizenship requires "renouncing all other allegiances, and to be a child of God requires forsaking all other masters. Romans 10:9 declares that salvation comes from believing God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing Jesus as Lord. If Jesus is Lord of your life, you have forsaken all other lords and renounced all allegiance and fidelity to any other lord.

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 is not a passage that is hard to understand, but it is one that offends the one who seeks to be friends with Christ and the world. It has two commands. One is a prohibition, and the other is a response to the transformation of the gospel. Both commands call the saints of God to live according to the righteousness of God and put away all defilements of the world.