21 August 2019

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 4:13-17

C2 The Christian life—not assuming James 4:13-17

James 4:13-17 WEL Come on, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, stay there a year, buy and sell, and make money.” 14 On the contrary, you don’t even know what [will happen] tomorrow. For what [is] your life? It is just a puff of smoke that appears for a moment then disappears. 15 For you should say, “If the Lord wills, then we will live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your self-confidence; all such rejoicing is evil. 17 So then, the one, who knows what is right and does not do it, is guilty of sin.

Presumption=
· In our passage, James knew of some who presumed that tomorrow would come. That is not Christian reality.
· There are 2 other passages dealing with this
o Jesus spoke a parable of a rich man, whose land had produced a superabundant crop. Praise God! But the man presumed to live for a long time, never thinking that death could happen at any time. This man’s treasure is only here on earth. He didn’t take time for gathering spiritual treasure. Luke 12:19-20 LEB And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!”’ 20 But God said to him, Fool! This night your life is demanded from you, and the things which you have prepared—whose will they be?
o The Lord Jesus makes 2 points we need to learn
§ Not to be greedy: Luke 12:15 LEB And he said to them, "Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.
§ Forgetting we should make it our priority to be working for heavenly treasure over earthly treasure: Luke 12:21 LEB So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and who is not rich toward God!
· Earthly treasure= financial things as money, net worth, etc. There is nothing wrong with money or being rich, but the error comes in our attitude and priority.
· Spiritual treasure=
o The best produce is the Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26 MEV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law. 24 Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be conceited, provoking one another and envying one another.
o This fruit is based on all goodness, as God defines goodness: Ephesians 5:9 MEV or the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth
Brevity of life= Psalm 39:4-6 NLT LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numberedhow fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. Interlude We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

Ungodly boasting=
· The difference is boasting about ourselves instead of boasting about God.
· An article about boasting (I don’t know much about this site, so as with all be discerning).

God’s will= is the most important thing. We should always have this attitude and be serious about it. Some things we know are God’s will, and we must do it. Some things are not God’s will, and we must avoid it.
Know what’s right and doesn’t do it is sin. Sin isn’t just breaking God’s law; it is also knowing what is right and being negligent.
The Greek word for boast is καυχάομαι kaucháomai.
· It has the idea of glorying, rejoicing, boast, etc. in something whether reasonable or unreasonable.
· Here, these people are rejoicing in something they should not, namely, “We’re going to make a lot of money.”
· The attitude is what is wrong.
The Greek word for boasting, pride, arrogance, etc. Is ἀλαζονεία alazoneía.
· According to Thayer’s Lexicon, it has the idea of
o an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights
o an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthly things,
· Again, it is the attitude—arrogant pride.
o Proverbs 26:12 CSB Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
o 1 Corinthians 10:12 CSB So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.
· The solution is
o Proverbs 3:7 BSB Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
o Remember: Proverbs 16:5 NLT The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.
o Instead: 2 Corinthians 10:17 NLT As the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.
Sometimes people leave God out of their planning for the future. We must not.

Questions=
· What kind of boasting does James write about?
· Is making money wrong? Explain.
· Why does God hate pride?

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