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Theme Scripture: --James 4:17 “Therefore, if one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.”
Memento Mori → You must die.
Theme Scripture Chapter Four: “Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”-- vs 15
“ 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” –James 4:13-17
Notice the deliberate way verse 13 is constructed. James was trying to interject a break in the ‘routine’ of the time of person living their lives as though there is no one or nothing else to consider. In short: ‘Let’s just get up – travel to here – set up a business and make a profit.’
At first glance, to many, this may sound like a routine part of life, the making of plans, especially in these times when everything is in flux and not all things are as they used to be. It is tough to make a living or even plan on having a job! Those who wish to keep folks in a constant state of dis-ease create health issues – especially mentally – by taking away the ‘traditions and routines’ that have served mankind for eons. In an attempt to control our personal lives we may see the logic in vs 13 as sound. Is this a beckoning to those who live their lives as if they are certain tomorrow will come? They plan to go and conduct business for their gain. They do it all but never interject GOD into their plans. But notice vs 14 SLAMS right into our personal rationale! “14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
Please consider the sage from a divinely inspired gift among men, a Pastor of robust talent and a blessing to his and succeeding generations with the wisdom and discernment he shared in his many sermons. The following is regarding vs 14.
“Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city”—they have plenty of time, and can make a selection according to their pleasure, they can go where they like, and when they like. They see themselves with prophetic glance entering in at the city gate, and they are fully assured that they shall “continue there a year.” Of course, a year is a small matter; if they please they will stay longer. They allot themselves a lease for three, seven, fourteen, or twenty-one years, at discretion, at least they talk as if they could do so. They are going into the city to “buy and sell,” they are sure of that too. Of course they will not be laid up with sickness, they do not fear that accident or disease will keep them away from market, or hinder the active transacting of their business. No, they are going to buy and sell, and such is their confidence in their own superior abilities that they are sure to make a profit. The markets cannot fall below the price which they have fixed in their own minds, neither will they make bad debts, nor incur other losses, for they have decided that they will “get gain.” Up to now they have been self-made men, and they mean to go on making themselves, until they put the finishing stroke by adding a few more thousands. They have visions of going on to fortune.” – Sermon #1773 commentary by Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon → referencing James 4:14
As we have knowledge that we are but a ‘vapor’ appearing for a brief moment in time, should we narrow our thoughts and plans to this moment? Should we understand we are not in control of the next moment? If in fact, life takes us to a place we must make major life changes, would it not be in our momentary and longer life moments to seek GOD for HIS wisdom, guidance, PERMISSION, and protection as we consider the ‘costs’ of changing our circumstances? When we can understand the ‘just do it’ mentality is more for our own pleasure than our own good we may employ the wisdom and yes even discernment to evaluate our life’s needs from and eternal perspective – with eternity in Christ’s control. In this life we deliberate a measuring of our ‘needs’ against our ‘wants’ to be more balanced in our frailty leading to the utter and delightful dependence on GOD and HIS omniscience!
Again, may I remind you, this book was written by James specifically to his brethren, more specifically the 12 tribes of Israel scattered about. Now, they may have been the intended target for the letter, but every Christian since that time until now must be reminded of the ‘folly’ – As Pastor Charles Spurgeon wrote in Sermon number 2242/Preached October 16, 1890 [* See note regarding #2242 below] Pastor Spurgeon was not a whimsical pastor engaging in the ‘folly’ James writes about. He was, by all his many messages, a studied, serious and devoted Pastor. So, his words about this section of the Bible are worthy of note.
These last few verses in chapter 4 end with what has been our main theme from the beginning: “Therefore, if one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.”
When you think about the verses individually you may get the import of it having been included here at this place. The 4th chapter focuses heavily on the worldly aspects, or the fleshly nature some of the Christians were engaging back when James penned this letter. He does not pull punches when calling them out on their actions. But, frankly, it is rather audacious and yes folly, to be engaged in adultery, deception, worldly interactions, and then just say ‘tomorrow we will go – relocate in essence – live to some place where they can engage in commerce and make money. Why is it audacious? Because, it shows absolutely no clue as to their responsibility towards GOD! Again, these are people who should be intimately involved with GOD yet their actions tell a different story.
By not including GOD in their plans they fail to recognize the obvious: Not a single second yet to come is at all promised to have you alive in it. We are fully dependent on GOD for each second of life much less tomorrow or even an entire year from now.
Is James saying Christians should not plan to relocate temporarily or permanently to make a living? No! But, Jesus said we should first sit down and count the cost of any endeavor. [Luke 14:28] James instead cautions us to include our LORD in our plans and having prayed about it as we plan be sure to acknowledge it is only done ‘if the Lord wills’. Anytime we do not pray or do not include the Lord’s will we are truly arrogant, boasting as if we control our own future. Then he ends with the grave statement that ‘if we know to do good and do not do it, it is sin.’
Humbly recognizing GOD’s presence, HIS Will, HIS love and provision for us and not taking any of it for granted is imperative in our lives.
*NOTE[Sermon #2242 was not published however until the week Pastor Spurgeon died February 7, 1892. The editor’s not footnoted it was a providential message.]
Please check back in November 2023 for the 1st part of James Chapter 5
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NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8
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