Bible Study -James (6) - Faith on Display in Your Priorities - James 4:13-17, 5:7-11 - October 9, 2022

 

Bible Study – James (6) – Faith on Display in Your Priorities – October 9, 2022

This our sixth and final lesson in our series entitled, “James: Living Out Your Faith.”

Our focus scripture is James 4:13-17, 5:7-11.

No matter what lies ahead, maintain your trust and dependence on GOD.

Let’s read James 4:13-17:

Our Will and God’s Will

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” ¹⁴ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

¹⁵ Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.

James  was telling his readers, “Come on fellow believers” pause and think about why you say certain things.

Most of us make plans, which is fine and good, however, James cautioned his readers to pause and think about what they were saying. “Today or tomorrow, we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” They made such statements like they had full control of their lives and all events that would impact their lives. No! They did not. WHO did have control of their lives and the events that each day held? GOD!!!

Planning is great for us, our families and business. So, what is the problem? It is all about our attitude toward GOD and life.

What do we need to consider? The main question is, will a person be able to do what he or she was planning? Who is in control of our ultimate destiny?

James gives us the answer,” ¹⁴ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.” Life can change in a flash.

Simply, life is full of uncertainties and in an instant any person can find himself or herself in eternity facing GOD. In essence, do not take life for granted but trust GOD.

Our eldest son, Ted, was at a conference and we think he jogged up some steps and fell and was killed. It was ruled an accident. That is a call no parent ever wants to receive. Yes, he was a born-again Christian and is with JESUS, but we miss him.

So, what does James tell us how to make plans without being arrogant?

James tells us in verse 15, “¹⁵ Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 

We are to make plans, but we must realize that GOD knows our future and things can change or take place unexpectantly that will disrupt our best laid plans. GOD is in control of our lives, both those who acknowledge HIM and those who do not.

GOD desires for us to submit our plans to HIM. Doing so acknowledges that GOD’S ways are not our ways, and HIS thoughts are greater than our thoughts and we trust HIM to guide us according to HIS will and purpose. We read in Matthew 7:9-11: ⁹ Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.

GOD desires for us to include HIM in our plans and seek HIS guidance.

What is wrong with self-confidence? Let’s read on in verses 16 and 17:

¹⁶ But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ So, it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.

What is arrogance? It is best described using  synonyms e.g., haughtiness, conceit, hubris, self-importance, egotism, etc.

All boasting is evil! Satan wants us to think we are invincible. Satan urges us to delay or put off accepting JESUS as your Savior, we have plenty of time.

Self-confidence is good but self-confidence that does not acknowledge that GOD brings success is evil. Self-confidence can imply self-sufficiency. That is, I do not need GOD.

JESUS told a parable in Luke 12:16-21:

¹⁶ Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? ¹⁸ I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. ¹⁹ Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’

²¹ “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

James wanted those to whom he was writing to be keenly aware that arrogant boasting is evil and gives the idea of self-sufficiency and no thought of GOD, WHO is involved in all aspects of life.

In verse 17, in our James scripture, we read that James tells his readers, when we know the right thing to do, do it, otherwise it is sin. The indwelling Holy Spirit knows all things and reveals to us what we need to know and to do in various circumstances.

A precious lady in our Sunday school class tells of an occasion that she had craved a chicken pot pie from KFC most of the day. On her way to get the pie she saw a person who was standing on the street needing a handout. She had $10. So, she thought, “I will get my pie and have the change left over to give it to the man.” So, she went and bought her pie and had $5 in change left over. She went back to the man and gave him the $5 and when she did the LORD told her to give him her chicken pie. When the LORD told her to give him her pie, she told the LORD, “But I have been craving this pie all day.” The LORD told her to give him the pie and she did. The man responded with great gratitude for the warm chicken pie. The lady did not have enough money to go buy her another chicken pie, so she went home and had cereal. Yes, GOD provides through us to meet the needs of others. 

Obedience is the key when we serve our LORD. There is a beautiful account recorded in 1 Kings.

We read in 1 Kings 17:8-16:

Elijah and the Widow

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to him (Elijah): ⁹ “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.” ¹⁰ So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink.” ¹¹ As she went to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.”

¹² But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I don’t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.”

¹³ Then Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid; go and do as you have said. But first make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, ¹⁴ for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty, and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.’”

¹⁵ So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. ¹⁶ The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the Lord he had spoken through^[b] Elijah.

GOD had prepared the widow to provide for Elijah in verse 9 and in turn, GOD provided for the widow and her son. Being a worshiper of Baal, how would she know? GOD speaks to who HE chooses. GOD knew her heart and her need and HE had a redemptive plan for her and her son. GOD still knows what is in our hearts and HE desires for all to be saved through faith in JESUS. HE calls us who know the truth to witness to those HE knows are ready to receive salvation. When HE gives us opportunity, we are to present the Good News of Salvation through faith in JESUS.

Notice, “But she said, “As the Lord your God lives.” She worshipped Baal but she knew that Elijah worshipped YAHWEH the one true GOD of the Jews. Then Elijah says, “for this is what the Lord God of Israel says,” After GOD took care of them during the drought, did her thoughts regarding “the LORD GOD of Israel” change?

Obedience to GOD’S leadership and commands are the key. Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in JESUS than to trust and obey.

Let’s read James 5:7-9:

Waiting for the Lord

⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸ You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.

James shifts his focus from the here and now for his readers to focus on what is important, the second coming of JESUS. He wanted those who knew the truth of salvation, through faith in JESUS, to focus on those who needed to know that JESUS could return at any moment. “Near” meant “close but not yet arrived,” “close enough for things to start happening.” If the second coming was close then, it is even closer now. Come LORD JESUS. Although that is what we, as Spirit-born people desire, yet there is so many souls that need salvation.  

⁹ Brothers and sisters do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!

In essence, James was telling fellow Christians not to complain, which only distracts from their real calling of reaching others for JESUS. Why? Telling others about JESUS and leading them to a saving knowledge of JESUS is vital because JESUS stands at the door and ready to return!

James believed that JESUS’ return was eminent. True then and, also, true today. JESUS is waiting for GOD to tell HIM to return.

What is our focus? Do we complain or look for opportunity to tell others about JESUS and help them grow Spiritually, as we and they serve. Yes, using our gifts to meet the needs of others and help cultivate the gifts that GOD gives to all who are Spirit-born.

Let’s read James 5:10-11:

¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ See, we count as blessed those who have endured.^[a] You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James reminded his readers, Spirit-born people, of the lives of the prophets who obediently served GOD. When they endured, they were rewarded by GOD. Therefore, focus on serving the LORD JESUS because HE is passionate and merciful. When Spirit-born people endure they are drawn closer to GOD in relationship, trust and enduring confidence. JESUS told HIS disciples that all they needed to do great things for GOD was to have faith the size of a mustard seed.

When we encounter life and the issues that life bring our way and we seek GOD’S leadership and guidance, we are drawn closer to HIM and in doing so it builds our relationship and trust in HIM.

We read in Proverbs 3:5-6:Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Trust builds the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

Blessings!!!