WALK THE TALK
JAMES 4:13 17
Read James 4:13 17
Today James tackles a real difficult, touchy subject...the sin of being presumptuous. Webster says that to be presumptuous means to display an excessive self confidence, and then to take liberties because of that overdose of self confidence.
And the way we carry out this sin is by assuring ourselves that time is on our side...that time is at our disposal. We make plans as if our own ability and motives were the only things that mattered. And when we do that we overlook how frail our lives are, and we ignore the fact that even the smallest areas of our lives are in the hands of God.
It's the presumption that we are masters of our own lives...that all we need to do is decide on our course of life and somehow we can make it happen. It also touches our ability to carry on business and make money. It says that if we really want to succeed we can, if we just set our minds on it and work hard.
And all this is very ordinary...and seems just natural, right? But that's exactly the point! When James exposes this sin, he uncovers what has made a claim on our hearts whether we recognize it or not.
We normally speak to ourselves, and often to others, like we have it in ourselves to make a success of things...as if getting by, making money, and doing well for ourselves were the sole purpose of life. But it's not! Not for anyone, but especially not for Christians!
James uses a little irony here. He's talking about a person who is busy laying out his plans for the next year...and then quietly says, "Hey, you don't have the foggiest idea what might happen tomorrow." And this is so true.
Every day people wake up thinking that it'll be just another normal day...only to face situations they never dreamed would happen. I remember a few years ago, on Christmas Eve, I finished work, went to get my check, and was told I was laid off indefinitely. I got downsized! "Merry Christmas"
On Friday, three ladies got into a car in Nicktown...and in a moments time 2 of them are swept that quick into eternity. Without any warning they've had to face a holy God to give account for their lives. I'll bet they thought it would be just another normal day.
Just the fact that we have no idea what the future holds should be enough to keep us humble before the God who created, controls and gives us whatever time we do have.
James says we're just a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. In the greater scheme of things...when compared to the history of mankind, we have little substance...we're here only briefly, and then we're gone without a trace. And this is the heart of the matter.
Now, James isn't saying we shouldn't make plans for our lives. What he is saying is that we shouldn't be making the kind of self sufficient, self important plans that, at best, keep God for Sunday but looks on Monday through Saturday as ours.
Too many people today make the brevity and uncertainty of life an excuse for snatching all the pleasure out of it while there's time. A very stupid commercial used to say, "You only go around once in life...so go for all the gusto!" And many follow that advice which comes straight from the pit of hell. But for others, and many Christians fall into this category, it's an excuse for doing nothing!!!
James makes the case that knowing how short and how uncertain life is should make us humble before a holy God. But all this can be lost if we walk out those doors...or leave our places of prayer and study, and then take the reins of our lives into our own hands.
He says that either God is honored as Lord in our everyday lives...or we've sacrificed a humble spirit on the altar of presumption. In verse 14 it was the contents of tomorrow that are unknown...we have no idea what events might transpire during that 24 hours. You might face a tremendous crisis before this day is over.
But in verse 15, it's the very existence of tomorrow that's in question. Are you even going to have a tomorrow? We presume...we just naturally assume that it'll be business as usual tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. But we only have another day by the grace and mercy of God.
Let's get right down to business and see how serious this sin of presumption is. To begin with, it's one of the most direct challenges to the kind of life we're to live before God...because it involves taking into our own hands, the reins of planning and command. It sees life as a continuing right rather than as a daily mercy.
James uses verses 16 17 to drive his point home. Read v. 16...
This verb "to boast" is often used in the New Testament in a good sense for great, abounding joy in something. But what an unholy, unacceptable thing this becomes when it arises from your arrogance and self sufficiency.
When we forget, even in little, secret, almost unrecognized ways how frail we are, and stop short of complete dependence on God...it's evidence of the proud, boastful human spirit that flaunts this false independence in the face of a holy God. And according to James, that's evil! Evil...the same word other scriptures use of the devil himself.
But in verse 17, James is at his abrupt best. READ v. 17
Here we find the sin of omission...sinning by default. This is a principle that clearly shows that even our best accomplishments are not enough.
We may be able to avoid committing certain forbidden evils...which some can handle okay. But what about all the things we should be doing that we're not? James says this isn't just an oversight...and it's not something that is going to be overlooked by God...It's sin!!!
It's not enough to know to do right...we have to do what we know we ought to do! This, in a sense, is an echo of James 1:22 that says, "Be doers of the word and not hearers only." Some say it's a summary statement of the whole letter of James.
Sins of omission are not to be taken lightly...because at the root it's simply rebellion against the divine will of God. Instead of echoing the words of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene, "Not My will but Thine be done" we say by our actions..."Not your will but mine be done."
The main subject of this epistle must never be allowed to leave our minds...which is working out our faith in a practical way. And the one predominant thing condemned throughout is PRIDE! It's saying that we know better than God what life is about and how we should live our individual lives.
James is a gospel of faith...but he says that faith without works is dead! And I can see evidence of this fact all around. On the one hand I see people who are beginning to desire a move of the Holy Spirit...they want to see and experience the supernatural power of God that can save and heal and deliver and bless abundantly....but they cut off the flow of power by disobedience.
You're never going to get more until you become faithful with what you have...in fact, you may lose what you do have if you don't stop squandering the gifts and talents God has already given you.
Look at verse 17 again...READ
We need to take a close look at this, because we have a lot of people here this morning, and even more who are not where they should be this morning, who have been deceived into thinking their relationship with God is just fine and dandy because they show up for church most Sunday's.
We've got a church council that was elected to represent this congregation by meeting to make decisions that will determine the welfare of this church. But 3/4ths of the time we can barely get a quorum...unless something sensational happens.
75% of my council members never attend midweek services. Others skip Sunday services even when they're supposed to be carrying out their duties...and never bother to notify anyone that they're not going to be there.
I even have some who crawl up in the nursery and go to sleep instead of going to Sunday school. And the reason that could happen is because we can't find enough people to work the nursery anymore so we don't really have nursery services.
We have people here this morning that have the talent and the call to sing in the choir. We should have better than a dozen up here every week and most Sundays we have 6 7. And you know you should be there.
I guess I'm a lot like James, because I have little patience for those who make commitments to a job, an office, or even to be a faithful member of this church but never follow through with your commitment. You quit when it gets uncomfortable...or when it gets nice out and you can find better things to do with your time.
Others quit church because they get mad at me or someone else. But that's like Richie coming up to me and doing something to make me mad. But rather than work it out with him, I walk over and smack Greg across the face...even though Greg may be one of the best friends I have.
But that's exactly what so many people do to God. They get mad at someone else and instead of working it out they slap God by walking away from His call...by leaving the church He's placed you in...by failing to use your gifts and talents where you are needed most.
When you walk away...whether physically or just emotionally and spiritually...you don't sin against me...or the church...or an individual....You sin against God!
And its amazing how many of you God has touched in very dramatic, powerful ways. But the reason God blesses and touches us is not just to make us feel good...or to have a happy smooth life of ease and comfort.
He blesses us so that we'll in turn go out and bless others...so that we'll work for His kingdom and share what He's done for us with others so they can experience the mercy and grace of God.
Why are you holding back? I put together an article for this month's Connection and I hope you all read it because the more I look around the more evidence I see of the warning signs of spiritual suicide.
And it makes me angry! But I'm not mad at any of you...and I'm not here to condemn...but I'm mad at the devil who has blinded and deceived and intimidated so many into a slow spiritual death. Many of you have become willing accomplices in Satan's master plan.
It's time to get up and begin to fight...not the other church's...or each other...but to declare war on the kingdom of darkness.
