Letter of James : Final Instructions of James
We have seen how God purposes difficulties in order to develop character traits in us .
- James also showed us that faith without works is dead faith,
- Based upon the fact that God wants us to live our lives as Christians with a Christian world view in contrast to a secular world view,
- And, based upon the fact that he has given us the tools describing how to have and maintain a Christian world view, He now delivers practical final instructions.
Understand that neither a person’s faith, or their ability to claim a desired outcome , ever trumps the will of God.
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
James 4:13-14 ESV
God is the one who determines all things. Do you really believe that you are the master of your own destiny? You are just a human being and are not the author of your future. To think otherwise is sin.
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:14-17 ESV
There are two elements to this scripture. We are passing through … we are as a mist that quickly vanishes.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17 But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:13-18 NIV
All of our positive thinking is not on our abilities to accomplish but rather a healthy maturity that recognizes that I can do all things through Christ!
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:10-13 NIV
For all of those people who have presumed upon the future by making claims without including the will of God in their business and financial endeavors, judgement awaits when all of this will mean nothing.
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
James 5:1-6 ESV
For those who have lived by faith, don’t be weary in continuing in your faith. Be patient and deliverance for you is as sure as judgement for those who have operated according to the ways of the world.
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
James 5:7-11 ESV
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