Tiago 4
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Tiago 4
Spurgeon - The whole history of mankind shows the failure of evil lustings to obtain their object. THE PROBLEM OF PRAYERLESSNESS You do not have because you do not ask - Amplified = "Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it." Guzik on you do not ask - The reason these destructive desires exist among Christians is because they do not seek God for their needs (you do not ask). James reminds us here of the great power of prayer, and why one may live unnecessarily as a spiritual pauper, simply because they do not pray, or do not ask when they pray. We might state it as a virtual spiritual law: that God does not give unless we ask. If we possess little of God and His Kingdom, almost certainly we have asked little. “Remember this text: Jehovah says to his own Son, ‘Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.’ If the royal and divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that he may have, you and I cannot expect the rule to be relaxed in our favor. Why should it be?” (Spurgeon). “If you may have everything by asking, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is, and I beseech you to abound in it. . . . Do you know, brothers, what great things are to be had for the asking? Have you ever thought of it? Does it not stimulate you to pray fervently? All heaven lies before the grasp of the asking man; all the promises of God are rich and inexhaustible, and their fulfillment is to be had by prayer.” (Spurgeon) (James 4 Commentary) Charles Swindoll on why they do not pray - Those who fight out of frustration fail to turn to God for their provision. (Insights on James, 1 & 2 Peter - Page 89) R Kent Hughes on do not have because you do not ask - The way this works is that, first, the pleasure-mad Christian, who has some spiritual sensitivity, realizes his prayers are inappropriate. Somehow he senses that his desire for a Maserati may not be a spiritual essential. So he asks for nothing. In fact, he doesn’t pray much at all because few of the things he wants are high on the divine priority list. (See James - Faith That Works) Douglas Moo feels that "The end of v. 2 therefore goes with v. 3, as James explains why his readers’ desire to “have” has met with failure rather than success. You do not have, because you do not ask God. What is it that James’s readers want to have? He nowhere says in these verses, but the context suggests an answer: the kind of wisdom that will enable them to gain recognition as leaders in the community. James has rebuked his readers for wanting to become teachers (3:1) and for priding themselves on being “wise and understanding” (3:13). They apparently want to lead the church, but don’t have the right kind of wisdom to do so. Moreover, James’s language here reminds us inevitably of his earlier encouragement: “If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God” (1:5). James attributes the failure of these people to gain the power and prestige they want to their failure to do just this: ask God. (The Letter of James - Page xxxiv) if you cannot pray about it, then you will not profit from it John Blanchard - ‘You do not have because you do not ask God.’ To put it in the simplest possible language, one reason why these people did not obtain certain things was that they did not pray for them. Their prayer was defective in its content because its content was nil! Of course, there may have been a simple reason why they did not pray for certain things, namely that they knew perfectly well that they could not honestly do so. The things they wanted were things about which it would have been useless to pray because they were wrong, or their desire to have them was wrong. There is a simple but clear principle here: if you cannot pray about it, then you will not profit from it. That principle can be written across the whole of life. If we cannot pray about it, then we cannot profit from it. If we cannot say, ‘Lord, bless me as I do this thing,’ we ought not to be doing it at all. Of course, all prayerlessness leads to failure in obtaining, as Joseph Scriven wrote in his famous hymn: Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! Is there any measure in which that can be said of you? Is your prayer defective in its content? Are there whole areas of your life about which you never pray? Are there issues which you never take to the throne of grace? Is it therefore surprising that things do not seem to work out? Of how many good, legitimate, godly things, of how many blessings for yourself and other people could it be said: ‘You do not have because you do not ask God’? Lehman Strauss - Here we are shown just why we "have not" real satisfaction of soul. There are two reasons given. First, prayerlessness. "Ye ask not." We failed to make our desires a matter of prayer. Our heavenly Father gives liberally to those who ask of Him (James 1:5, 6, James 1:17). "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Mt. 7:7, 8+). Examine your prayer life, and I believe you will agree with God's Word that one reason we do not get things from God is that we do not ask things of God. I said prayers for many years before I could lay claim to having received one thing as a direct answer to my prayers. Not all prayer is petition, but certainly all who read the Scriptures know that asking is an essential part of one's prayer life. When we do not make our desires the subject of selfless, sincere, earnest prayer, we cannot hope to be satisfied. Indeed prayer is the secret to peace and contentment. Paul adds to the message of James: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6, 7+). The Christian who walks in unbroken prayer fellowship with his Lord is content in whatsoever state he finds himself (Phil. 4:11+). Where Christians depend upon God, the restlessness and discontent that generate strife are absent. Learn to trust your heavenly Father not only in spiritual matters that affect your eternal well-being but for all temporal needs amidst the cares of this world. We can depend upon Him for the life to come and for the present as well. (Borrow James, Your Brother: Studies in the Epistle of James - page 152) George Stulac on prayer - Even with the origin of the fights identified as our own desires, and even with the immorality of certain actions exposed, there is yet a third way in which we justify our role in fights--by claiming necessity. "I had to do that, or else .......... would have happened!" This last justification is rendered indefensible by the availability of another course of action: prayer. James makes his point in two stages, and each stage reflects a theological premise he has asserted in chapter 1. First, in Jas 4:2, You do not have, because you do not ask. (The NIV adds God.) The theological premise is that God is graciously generous (stated in Jas 1:5), by which James is convinced that one may ask God and rely on him for what one needs. This emphasis on prayer is another manifestation of James's consistent reliance on God's grace (refuting the portrayal of James as self-reliantly focused on works). One may not expect God to answer prayer when one's motives are wicked However, God is also pure, and he will have nothing to do with evil (as asserted in Jas 1:13, 17). This is the basis for the second part of James's point, stated in Jas 4:3: a warning that one may not expect God to answer prayer when one's motives are wicked. He warns against asking kakos, wrongly or wickedly, which the NIV paraphrases as with wrong motives. Adamson considers it stronger language than the KJV's "amiss" and paraphrases it "Your praying is corrupt" (1976:168). Then James explains the wrong motives: they ask in order to spend on their pleasures, emphasized by the same noun hedone translated desires in 4:1. The conclusion for us is that our fights reveal a wrong relationship with God which is manifest in our prayer lives. Either we do not pray, because we do not trust in God's grace, or we pray with wrong motives, because we do not follow God's purity. (James 4 Commentary) Fight (3164)(machomai) means to war, quarrel, dispute fight or strive. This word describes a serious conflict, either physical (especially military combat as with armed combatants who engage in a hand to hand struggle - cf literal use in Acts 7:26) or non-physical, but clearly intensive and bitter. It was used of those of those who contend at law for property and privileges. Machomai in secular Greek is used to describe a wind of such high intensity that it leveled everything in its path, much like a hurricane. The servant of the Lord must not engage in a "war of words" and "blow away" those who block his path in one way or another. Fight (4170)(polemeo from polemos = war) literally means to make or wage war (Rev 12:7; 13:4; 17:14) Figuratively polemeo means to be in opposition to, be hostile invoking military imagery which depicts the hostile attitude of opponents in a literal war. And so it means to be treated in a hostile manner and then to quarrel or wrangle with someone Polemeo - 7x in 6v - make war (1), quarrel (1), wage war (2), waged (1), wages war (1), waging (1).Jas. 4:2; Rev. 2:16; Rev. 12:7; Rev. 13:4; Rev. 17:14; Rev. 19:11 Revelation 2:16+ ‘Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. Revelation 12:7+ And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, Revelation 13:4+ (Rev 13:3 "the whole earth was amazed") they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” Revelation 17:14+ (Second Coming) “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 19:11+ (Second Coming) And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. Ask (154)(aiteo) means to ask for something or make petition (request, beg). It can mean to ask with a sense of urgency and conveys the sense of pleading, begging, imploring. James used aiteo in James 1:5-6+ "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask (present imperative - command to continually ask see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask (present imperative - command to continually ask) in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. THOUGHT - Strauss on "do not have... cannot obtain....do not have" - If this verse tells us anything at all, it thrice reminds us that the natural heart of man is never contented. The awful craving for the pleasures, the privileges, and the preeminence in mundane things, fills us with jealousy and envy, which in turn produces an unholy restlessness with inevitable confusion and strife. Satisfaction in the things of this world is like a mirage, seemingly within our reach, but always eluding us, leaving us fretful and fighting like spoiled children. We all have passed through these experiences and we admit that under the sun all is vanity and vexation of spirit. "Ye lust... ye kill... ye fight... ye ask," and all to satisfy the lustings of the flesh which never can be satisfied. Our Lord said: "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again" (John 4:13). The natural heart is always thirsting. If a man gets power, he craves more power. If he gets money, he wants more money. If he enjoys a season of sinful pleasure, he seeks more of the same. And so it goes! When one's body, mind, and spirit are not fully yielded to God, life becomes one vicious circle of seeking but never satisfying. Oh, my reader, can't you see that the desire for the wrong things, prompted by wrong motives at work in our members, wages ceaseless warfare against everything and everyone that stand in the way of their gratification? (ED: AGAIN THINK OF MARRIAGES) And when we get what we thought we wanted, we are left still empty, unsatisfied, and seeking! "Ye... cannot obtain." (Borrow James, Your Brother: Studies in the Epistle of James - page 150) Related Resources: Articles on prayer Thomas Guthrie - If you find yourself loving any pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any house better than the house of God, any table better than the Lord's Table, any persons better than Christ, any indulgence better than the hope of heaven, take alarm. QUESTION - What is the meaning of “you have not because you ask not” in James 4:2? GotQuestions.org WATCH VIDEO ANSWER - The book of James contains a lot of practical instruction for how Christians should live their lives. James wrote to believers who seemed to have quite a few problems with their behavior. The one he addresses at the beginning of chapter 4 has to do with their desire to get things. James 4:1–3: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” The passage reveals the following inappropriate actions and attitudes: 1. The people wanted a lot, and this was causing them to fight and quarrel among themselves. Presumably, they were frustrated with each other as they could not get what they wanted. 2. The inability to get what they wanted had driven some of them to “kill.” Maybe they were literally murdering each other; more likely, they were thinking and doing hateful things that Jesus said amount to murder (Matthew 5:22; cf. 1 John 3:15). 3. They coveted but were unable to get what they wanted, so they continued to quarrel and fight. 4. They refused to pray, or, if they did pray, they did so out of selfish motives. Unfortunately, the group of people to whom James writes looks like many people today. There are Christians who are out to further their own agenda to get what they want by any means possible. When they are frustrated in their aims, they lash out at each other. James says there is a better way. Instead of coveting, quarrelling, fighting, and even killing, Christians need to simply ask God for what they want. One reason they do not have what they want is that they have not asked. There is debate in theological circles about whether God actually “changes His mind” in response to our prayers. Some would say that God never changes His mind, that He will always do what He had planned in the first place. Others go to the opposite extreme and say that God cannot or will not do anything unless we ask. James 4 does not really address those larger issues. It simply says that, if there is something we want, we need to ask God for it, instead of resorting to ungodly means. It stands to reason that there are some things that we will not get unless we ask for them, but, if we ask, we will receive them. So, if there is something that we want, we need to ask. Christians should be praying. Of course, James’ statement that “you have not because you ask not” does not guarantee that we will get everything we ask for. A father might tell his child not to steal anything from the tool shed but to simply ask if he wants something. But, if the 10-year-old asks for the chain saw, the father, for safety reasons, might not give it to him. Likewise, when we ask God for something, He reserves the right to do what is best for us. James 4:3 brings up another situation where God may not grant our requests: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” So, while it is better to ask God for things than to scheme and fight and try to get them at the expense of other people, there are some requests that are still selfish at their root, and these God will deny. The bottom line is that, when you want something, you need to ask God and let Him decide what is best for you. There are some times when God may say “no” because we ask with the wrong motives, and there may be some times that He says “yes” because He wants us to have what we ask for. (His “yes” does not mean that the object of our desire will necessarily arrive “on a silver platter” from heaven. How He answers our prayers is still up to Him. Receiving what we asked for may mean God gives us the ability to save money to buy what we want. His answer to our prayer does not rule out secondary agency.) Our prayer is our signal that we have abandoned trying to get things our own way and we are instead deferring to God’s judgment about what we get and how we get it. Knowing what God wants to give us is infinitely more valuable and good for us than what we can dream up on our own, we pray in confidence and in faith. If there is something you want, you need to ask God for it. Many times, “you have not because you ask not.” There is no guarantee that you will get it, but it is the best possible chance you have, and prayer will keep you within God’s will. When you have submitted your will to His, you will be happy with what He gives you, whether or not you get what you originally asked for. THE ONGOING BATTLE IN EVERY BELIEVER'S HEART AND MIND - On October 31, 1999, a full airplane took off from JFK International Airport, New York, on the routine flight to Cairo, Egypt. The final report of the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that, a short time after take-off, the relief first officer waited for the pilot to leave the cockpit and then disengaged the autopilot. He proceeded to move the throttle levers from their cruise power setting to idle, cutting the engines. Seconds later, the airplane began to pitch nose-downward and descended into a freefall. In the final moments before impact, the horrified pilot dashed back to his seat and battled the co-pilot for control of the plane. The pilot pulled back on his controls, desperate to bring the nose of the plunging Boeing 767 up, while the suicidal first officer pushed his own controls forward to keep the jet in its lethal dive. The result was a tragic crash of Egyptair Flight 990 into the Atlantic Ocean south of Nantucket, Massachusetts. It killed all 217 people aboard. The battle in that airline is the battle that’s going in your heart and mind right now. So many times we have made peace with it. We think we’re content with where we are. But spiritually, reality is here. We’re at war and we have an enemy inside the gates and we must deal with that. The writer says: The battle in that airliner’s cockpit is a picture of the inner life of a Christian. Each day, we choose either to hijack control of our lives—plunging ourselves into sin—or to remain locked in the direct of God’s will. That’s why WE ALL NEED TO BE in the Word EVERY morning so that we will go forth "locked into" the will of God which is found in the Word of God. And you take it a day at a time and stack ‘em up because we don’t have a whole lot of them left. CHURCH WARS - Weapons and strategies used in church fights and quarrels. Missiles = Attacking church members from long range. Guerrilla tactics = Ambushing the unsuspecting. Snipers = Well-aimed criticisms. Terrorism = No one is immune from being hurt. Mines = Ensuring that others will fail in their efforts to serve God. Espionage = Using friendships to get potentially damaging information about others. Propaganda = Using gossip to spread damaging information about others. Cold War = Freezing out an opponent by withdrawing or refusing to talk to him or her. Nuclear Attack = Being willing to sacrifice the church if the goals of my group are not met. James tells us the exact location of the manufacturing plants for all these weapons. The trouble is in ourselves. (Borrow Life Application Bible Commentary – James) James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. Amplified - [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. NET James 4:3 you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions. GNT James 4:3 αἰτεῖτε καὶ οὐ λαμβάνετε διότι κακῶς αἰτεῖσθε, ἵνα ἐν ταῖς ἡδοναῖς ὑμῶν δαπανήσητε. NLT James 4:3 And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong-- you want only what will give you pleasure. KJV James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. ESV James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. ASV James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures. CSB James 4:3 You ask and don't receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. NIV James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. NKJ James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. NRS James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. YLT James 4:3 ye ask, and ye receive not, because evilly ye ask, that in your pleasures ye may spend it. NAB James 4:3 You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. NJB James 4:3 when you do pray and do not receive, it is because you prayed wrongly, wanting to indulge your passions. GWN James 4:3 When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason-for your own pleasure. BBE James 4:3 You make your request but you do not get it, because your request has been wrongly made, desiring the thing only so that you may make use of it for your pleasure. and do not receive: Jas 1:6,7 Job 27:8-10 35:12 Ps 18:41 66:18,19 Pr 1:28 15:8 Pr 21:13,27 Isa 1:15,16 Jer 11:11,14 14:12 Mic 3:4 Zec 7:13 Mt 20:22 Mk 10:38 1Jn 3:22 5:14 so that you may spend it : Lu 15:13,30 16:1,2 James 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PRAYING WITH WRONG MOTIVES In this section James highlights three common problems in prayer - don't ask, ask for wrong things, ask for wrong reason. You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives - Amplified = "[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives." NLT = "And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong." Ask is in the middle voice meaning "you ask for yourselves." In context James is describing selfish prayers, self-centered requests. Little wonder such prayers go unanswered (or answered with a divine "no"). If we seek from the world the pleasures we should seek in God, we are unfaithful to our marriage vows. -- John Piper One trap we've all fallen into is to seek God's approval for something we have already planned to do (cf Ro 13:14+). We just want His divine seal of approval. Little wonder we do not receive! Don Anderson - What he’s saying in essence, God is not in the business of just filling your agenda as you come to Him with all your requests. And selfish requests that are outside of the will of God are going to get a no. And what he’s saying here is that when you pray selfishly, in the flesh rather than prompted by the Spirit so that you know the desires of God even before you make requests....The big question comes, every time you pray do you say “Thy will be done” and you really mean it? Or are you saying “My desires be satisfied”? That will tell you whether your prayer is going to get out of the rafters or not. If in fact you really want His will and you’re agonizing over knowing it, then it will be revealed. But if you are yielding to your passions and you’re praying from the flesh, then you’ve got to say “My desires be satisfied.” (Notes) What is the answer for unanswered prayers. The answer is given by John and in short calls for praying in the will of God This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will (HIS WILL IS BEST DISCERNED IN HIS WORD - SO PRAYING HIS WORD IS ALWAYS "SAFE" AND EFFICACIOUS! ALSO BE SURE TO Pray in the Spirit), He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 John 5:14-15+) Comment - A wise father or mother will not give a little child something harmful just because he begs for it. When we pray for things which God knows will harm us, He purposely, out of love, withholds them. Why not thank Him that He never permits His children to make Him chargeable for their own lustful pleasures? We earthly parents are sometimes guilty of so injuring our children, but God never!...I am sure we shall be eternally thankful in heaven for our unanswered prayers, but while we pass through this earthly experience, let us not pervert the true Biblical practice of prayer by asking for those things that pander to our fleshly desires. When a Christian learns the Biblical rules of prayer, he will not unwittingly abuse its privileges nor belabor the ears of God. When we ask according to His will, we ask unselfishly in moderation for His glory (cf 1 Cor 10:31). (Strauss) David
Tiago 4
Spurgeon - “Notice, that these people, while they thought everything was at their disposal, used everything for worldly objects. What did they say? Did they determine with each other ‘We will to-day or to-morrow do such and such a thing for the glory of God, and for the extension of his kingdom’? Oh, no, there was not a word about God in it, from beginning to end!....There are two great certainties about things that shall come to pass – one is that God knows, and the other is that we do not know." Zodhiates feels that in James 4:13-17 James "shows us man’s disregard of the providence of God. Man in his pride does not want to acknowledge that he cannot determine his own fate and make his own plans. Proud man forgets God when he plans his life and his business for the future....As we toil and labor, we forget that the actual increase cannot come from anyone else but God....Robert Horton has well said that the greatest lesson he learned from life was that people who set their minds and hearts on money are equally disappointed whether they get it or not. It binds alike the poor who crave money and the rich who make it their god. Let us, therefore, ask God’s partnership in all that we plan for our lives, if we want our lives to count, not only for time and men, but also for eternity and God..... These merchants did well to look into the future, but they did not look far enough. We must look into the future in terms of eternity and not only in terms of tomorrow’s gain. Their aspirations were high, but they were not high enough. They stacked up profits, but not heavenly treasures while here on earth. Fontenelle, the French skeptic, was right when he wrote, “Man is born to aspire at everything and enjoy nothing; to go always forward, but to arrive nowhere.” This is very true when man leaves the perpendicular dimension out of his business and travel. Let us remember that time and space are divine gifts to humanity, and humanity should not leave the Giver out of the gift." (Borrow Faith, Love, and Hope: An Exegetical Commentary on James)
Tiago 4
Spurgeon - The apostle emphasizes the folly of this supposed foresight by telling us that we cannot even reckon upon another day.....Even in the morning we cannot make sure of the eventide, nor in the evening can we reckon upon the morning. James puts the matter strongly when he asks: “What is your life?” You do not know what is going to happen on the morrow, for you do not know your own life. What is it? Know (understand)(1987)(epistamai) means to understand and in this case is modified by an absolute negative (ou), which indicates to put it in modern vernacular "They don't have a clue about their life tomorrow!" Life (2222)(zoe) in Scripture usually refers to supernatural life in contrast to a life subject to eternal death (Jn 3:36). Richards writes that "Zoe in classical Greek refers to natural life--the principle that enables living things to move and to grow." You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away - James uses a striking metaphor which is translated "mist" (NRSV), "like a puff of smoke." The word transitory is defined as lasting a very short time. Vapor (steam, smoke) is transitory and is a perfect picture of our life. Imagine the steam rising from the tea pot, a puff of smoke from a cigar, one's breath on a cold day. All gone in an instant. James says that is our life on earth! Given that fact how foolish we are to plan our lives without serious consideration of God's will for our life (see resources below)! The Bible gives many pictures to help us understand the transitory, brief nature of our life (See Excursus below). It seems that God really wants us to grasp this vital truth. This is the second time James has emphasized the uncertainty and brevity of life for in James 1:10-11+ he said "the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Appears (shines)(5316)(phaino) means to bring to light, become visible. James says we appear, then we vanish. THOUGHT - We need to make our brief "vapor like" appearance in time count for eternity. Paul gives us some help here as he uses the same verb phaino to encourage us "to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear (or shine) as lights in the world." (Php 2:15+) Beloved, how is your light shining before the lost? The verb phaino is also used of to describe another appearance that will change everything! Jesus said "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear (phaino) in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory." (Mt 24:30+). The truth of the Second Coming is mentioned directly or indirectly in 1 in 30 NT passages so clearly the Spirit wants the Second Coming on our “spiritual radar.” APPLICATION - GOD knows that what we are looking for will (or at least should) impact what we are living for. What would happen if the church began to look expectantly for Jesus’ Return? QUOTE - The primitive church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than about death or about heaven. The early Christians were looking not for a cleft in the ground called a grave but for a cleavage in the sky called Glory. They were watching not for the undertaker but for the Uppertaker. – Alexander Maclaren The early church was on fire preaching the word – they were fueled by the truth that Jesus might return in their day. They had a secret way of identifying with one another – they would whisper “Maranatha.” (See A Maranatha Mindset; play "Maranatha") What impact might an expectancy of the imminency of the Second Coming have on our sermons? D L Moody the greatest evangelist of the 19th century testified that "For many years I have never given an address without the consciousness that the Lord may come before I have finished." Do you think he preached the word with Spirit empowered passion and a sense of urgency? ILLUSTRATION - Many years ago I heard a true story about Shepherd’s Home for children with developmental disabilities where they taught that Jesus would save them and one day heal them of all disabilities. The director said that his biggest problem was dirty windows Because the disabled children would press their hands, noses and lips against the windows always looking to see if today might be the day that Jesus would return for them and take them home where they will be healed of all their disabilities. Talk about having your priorities in the right place! Oh, to have the heart attitude of these precious little children! Amen! A little while (pros oligon) - It is interesting that the identical Greek phrase is found in the context where Paul commands Timothy "discipline (gumnazo in the present imperative - one can only carry out this command by relying on the Holy Spirit to obey) yourself for godliness" (1 Ti 4:7+) and then explains "for bodily discipline is only of little (pros oligon) profit, but godliness is profitable (ophelimos) for all things, since it holds (present tense - continually holds) promise for the present life (LIFE THAT IS A VAPOR) and also for the life to come (LIFE THAT IS EVERLASTING)." (1 Ti 4:8+). So what Paul is commanding Timothy in 1 Ti 4:7 present us a perfect segue to James' warning that life is just a vapor. In other words given the brevity of life described by James, pursue the practice of godliness described by Paul which will benefit you not only in this short life, but even better will benefit you in eternity, the life to come! Write your plans in pencil, Then give God the eraser. Vapor (822)(atmis) literally means steam, mist, vapor, smoky vapor (like that of a volcanic eruption). James metaphorical use obviously speaks of the transient nature of our brief life on earth. BDAG says it is used in 1 Cl 17:6 as "steam that rises from a pot, typical of nothingness." The only other NT use is in Peter's Pentecostal sermon to the Jews describing that God will grant wonders in heaven and earth which include "blood, fire and vapor of smoke." (Acts 2:19+).
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Spurgeon - “There are a thousand gates to death; and, though some seem to be narrow wickets, many souls have passed through them. Men have been choked by a grape stone, killed by a tile falling from the roof of a house, poisoned by a drop, carried off by a whiff of foul air. I know not what there is that is too little to slay the greatest king. It is a marvel that man lives at all.” Vanishes away (853)(aphanizo from aphanes = hidden or literally "not appearing" from a = without + phaino = to appear) means to cause to vanish, make disappear, make unseen, render invisible or unrecognizable. Aphanizo in the passive voice as here in James 4:14 means to be removed out of sight or to become invisible. THOUGHT - It is notable that of the 5 NT uses of aphanizo, 2 of the other uses are by Jesus who describes the destructive effect of rust on "treasures" on earth (Mt 6:19+), and hence His charge to "store up (present imperative = command to make this your life's purpose or goal! Only possible as you rely on the Holy Spirit to obey) for yourselves treasures in Heaven where....rust" does not destroy (aphanizo). (Mt 6:20+) So while our temporal life on earth will vanish like a vapor, enabled by the Spirit (cf Jn 15:5), we can use our brief time here on earth to store up eternal treasures in Heaven! I would call that Amazing Grace indeed! Knowing that you will soon vanish from earth, does this not motivate you to desire to store up treasure where it will not vanish and where you will not vanish? ILLUSTRATION - Some years ago, I happened to have contact with two quite wealthy men during the same week. One was a former professor at a major university who, through a long series of good investments in real estate, had accumulated a fortune of possibly a hundred million dollars. But in the process he lost his family, his happiness, his peace of mind, and had aged far beyond his years. The other man, a pastor, also acquired his wealth through investments, but they were investments to which he paid little attention. Because of his financial independence, he gave to his church over the years considerably more than he was paid for being its pastor. He is one of the godliest, happiest, most fruitful, and contented persons I have ever met. (John MacArthur). 'Only one life twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.' Are you doing anything that will last for eternity? Related Resources: What does the Bible say about saving for retirement? What is the Christian view of retirement? Should a Christian invest money in the stock market? REDEEM THE TIME IN LIGHT OF JAMES 4:14 WE NEED TO BE DILIGENT TO REDEEM THE TIME WE HAVE LEFT TO REDEEM! Before reading on, pause and make a list of the things you value most in life. Undoubtedly God, Jesus, family, etc are at the top of your list. But did you list "TIME?" Play the song entitled "Redeem the Time" - It is beautiful vocal by David Smallwood with well done, and very moving graphics. Father, may the words of this song cause us to soberly ponder the length of eternity and the brevity of our opportunity to live our life in the power of the Spirit for the glory of Christ. Amen Ephesians 5:15-16+ has been called the Bible's key to TIME MANAGEMENT. In these passages Paul commands all believers Therefore (because we have been awakened from spiritual stupor and spiritual death and have the light of Christ - Eph 5:14+) BE CAREFUL how you walk, not as unwise men ("fools"), but as wise, REDEEMING (making the most of) THE TIME, because (explains why we must redeem the time) the days are evil (Corollary: The evil of our day should motivate us to redeem the time)." (Eph 5:16+) Paul uses three Greek words or phrases that are very instructive, the first being the command to "be careful (present imperative = command to make this vigilant attitude our lifestyle) how you walk." The idea is we as believers are commanded to continually take heed, be alert, be vigilant, to discern with Spirit enabled vision. This command which calls for us to continually live our life wisely and continually dependent on and filled with or controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18). C H Spurgeon paraphrases it "See then that ye walk circumspectly (being careful to consider all circumstances and all possible consequences), not carelessly, not thinking that it is of no importance how you live; but looking all round you, “walk circumspectly,” watching lest even in seeking one good thing you spoil another." In other words, if we walk wisely, we will be careful not to let the good steal God's best! Charles Hummel (borrow Tyranny of the Urgent) wrote that our "greatest danger is letting the urgent (secular) things crowd out the important (divine things)." Our problem is that too often we live by life's demands, instead of by God's priorities. Remember that life is too short for us to do everything we want to do, but it is long enough for us to do everything God wants us to do. The second word is REDEEM (Eph 5:16+) is the Greek word exagorazo which literally means to "buy out of the market place." The picture is of a merchant who diligently seeks to buy up the best bargains in the market place, taking care not to miss the fleeting opportunities! REDEEM is in the present tense which calls for us to make it our lifestyle, our daily, moment by moment practice, to buy up for ourselves (to our eternal advantage) the strategic opportunities which God providentially places in our path. If we are walking wisely (Eph 5:15+), filled with God's Spirit (Eph 5:18+), we will be spiritually alert to those divine opportunities in the "marketplace", and will begin to view people and circumstances not just as encounters (or irritations) in time but as opportunities to impact eternity (read 2Cor 4:18+). Each new day brings us 24 hours, 1440 minutes, 86,000 seconds, each moment a precious gift from God (Jas 1:17+), each calling for us to be good stewards, mindful that one day we must give an account for how we spent the time God loaned us, how effectively we "bought up" the opportunities He provided. If someone gave us $1440 each day and said spend it or lose it, how diligent would we be to comply? Yesterday is but a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is all of the cash that you have. Spend it wisely. As someone has well said I have only just a minute, only 60 seconds in it; forced upon me; can't refuse it; didn't seek it, didn't chose it. But it's up to me just how I use it. I must suffer if I lose it, give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it. A survey asked "What do you have to live for?" to which 94% answered they were just enduring today and living for tomorrow. That is living unwisely (Eph 5:15). Too many people miss today because they are worrying about tomorrow (Read Jesus' advice Mt 6:34+). Worry does not make us ready but unready to redeem the time. As Adrian Rogers said "We face the future out of breath, because we have been fighting tomorrow's battles today!" Wisdom is taking every opportunity today and fully using the time granted us. We have each been given the same amount of time but the difference is how we redeem this divine gift. Instead of killing time, redeem it. Instead of counting the days, make your days count. Indeed, "ETERNITY will be appreciated only in the measure that we have rightly handled TIME!" Redemption of time is preparation for eternity. The present should be viewed as preparation for the future. As Spurgeon rightly observed "'NOW' is the watchword of the wise." LATER may be too late! Right NOW counts for ever. How goes your preparation for the future dear saint? It's now or never. "Time is the seed of eternity." To make our life count for eternity, we must be wise in how we spend our time today. What will your eternal harvest be? H A Ironside agrees that "Time is given us to use in view of eternity." Psalm 107:2+ says "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." Paul would say let the redeemed of the Lord DO so (redeem the time in the power of the Spirit for the glory of God!). We should redeem the time because we are redeemed! In a letter to his wife John
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Spurgeon - God has given us memory that we may look backward, and it were well if we used our memories better for remembrance, reflection, and repentance, but God has given us no eyes wherewith to pry into the future. He unveils the past to our penitence; but he veils the future from our curiosity. Dark days may be near at hand for some of us, but we do not perceive them. Let us be thankful that we do not, for we might multiply our afflictions by the foresight of them, and the prospect of evil to come might cast a gloom over pleasure near at hand. As we may feel a thousand deaths in fearing one, so may we faint under a thousand lashes in dreading a single stroke. It is good also that our God conceals from us our earthly joys until the time for their arrival. Great prosperity may await you, and a considerable enlargement of your temporal comfort, but you do not know it; and it is as well that you should not, for you might be none the better for the prospect. Earth’s goods are like bird-lime, and are fearfully apt to glue us down to things below, and prevent our soaring towards heaven. If then we could know all the pleasurable events that may happen to us we might become more worldly and more earthbound than we are. None of us could desire that this present evil world should have an increased influence over us: we are glad that it should have less, and therefore we rejoice that its future has such slight power over us because of its being unknown. Augustine rightly said, “God will not suffer man to have the knowledge of things to come: for if he had prescience of his prosperity, he would be careless: and understanding of his adversity, he would be senseless.” A millionaire in New York came to the end of his journey and died. On his deathbed he gave continual expression to his remorse for what his conscience told him had been an ill-spent life. “Oh,” he exclaimed, “if I could only be spared for a few years, I would give all the wealth I have amassed in my lifetime! It is a life devoted to money-getting that I regret. It is this which weighs me down and makes me despair of the life hereafter!” What this man regretted at the end of his life, James wants us to realize at the beginning of ours. (Zodhiates - Borrow Faith, Love, and Hope: An Exegetical Commentary on James)) “The past is dead and has no resurrection, but the future is endowed with such a life that it lives to us even in anticipation. The past is, in many things, the foe of mankind; the future is in most things our friend. For the past has no hope; the future is both hope and fruition. Those who are solely governed by the past stand, like Lot’s wife, crystallized in the act of looking backward, and forever incapable of looking forward.” - Unknown The Brevity Of Life What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. —James 4:14 Today's Scripture:James 4:13-17 As the second millennium was drawing to a close, the publishing industry poured out a flood of books about the end—not just the conclusion of a thousand-year period, but the ending of everything imaginable. James Gleick has pointed out that analysts of our culture have been prophesying the end of acting, aging, the alphabet, architecture, art, beauty, bureaucracy, capitalism, certainty, Christendom, . . . well, the list is far too long for us to reproduce here in its entirety. While Gleick doesn’t concern himself with biblical prophecy, he writes that all these publications “suggest a kind of destiny in human affairs, a one-way path toward fulfillment or climax.” Scripture, of course, has much to say about endings, especially the end of history. Jesus Christ promised to return and bring an end to the present order of things (Matthew 24). Life's fleeting day will soon be gone And we will pass away; So teach us, Lord, to know Your will That we may choose Your way. —DJD It's never too soon to invest in eternity. James 4:13-17 GOD WILL GUIDE YOU We do not need to be in a state of unrest about the future. Some worry needlessly and wonder, "Why doesn't God let me know what He has in mind for me in the future?" Some young people may be thinking about the mission field and wondering what God's will is for them five or ten years from now. It is important, however, that we recognize that God knows everything about the future, even if we do not, so the important thing is to trust Him today with our lives and leave the future to Him. If God is calling you today into some particular ministry, then obey Him, even though you do not know what the future holds. As we are sensitive to God, we can expect Him to guide us. Psalm 32:8 says, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." I'm so glad He guides us with His eye because He can see far beyond anything we can see. Because God knows the future completely, He will never be too late in telling us exactly what we need to know. Some things we need to plan for in the distant future, but most things are achieved simply by walking by faith today. As we trust God to give us wisdom for today's decisions, He will lead us a step at a time into what He wants us to be doing in the future. "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" (Ps. 25:9). (Theodore Epp) Tomorrow's Terrors Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. —Hebrews 13:8 Today's Scripture:Hebrews 13:1-8 Peter Marshall, whose dynamic preaching attracted crowds of people, died suddenly on the morning of January 25, 1949, at the age of 46. In one of his sermons he had said: “When the clock strikes for me, I shall go, not one minute early, and not one minute late. Until then, there is nothing to fear. I know that the promises of God are true, for they have been fulfilled in my life time and time again. Jesus still teaches and guides and protects and heals and comforts, and still wins our complete trust and our love.” Do you and I share that same fear-dispelling conviction? Can each of us, like David, say to our Lord, “My times are in Your hand”? (Psalm 31:15). Are we confident that God holds us in His almighty hands? Can we boldly say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6). True, we may have concern about the days ahead. As Scripture reminds us, we “do not know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:14). But we do know that whatever happens He will always be with us (Hebrews 13:5). That knowledge can lighten any burden of worry about the future. I don't know about tomorrow, Nor what coming days will bring; But I know my Lord is with me, And His praise my heart will sing. —Fitzhugh Worry can do a lot of things to you; prayer can do a lot of things for you. An Uncertain Future You do not know what will happen tomorrow. —James 4:14 Today's Scripture:Luke 12:13-21 The patriarch Isaac was an old man when he said, “I do not know the day of my death” (Genesis 27:2). That is true of us whether we’re young or old. We never know when the thread of life is going to be broken. This fact was vividly illustrated by something that happened in France in 1965. A lawyer, Andre-Franois Raffray, agreed to purchase the apartment of Jeanne Louise Calment in the city of Arles. Theirs was a legal arrangement under which he, then age 47, agreed to pay Mademoiselle Calment, then age 90, $500 a month for the right to move into her splendid apartment when she died. What a bargain! Or so he thought. She went on living for 32 more years, while he lived for only 30. He died at 77, after paying $184,000 for an apartment he never occupied. His widow and heirs had to continue paying Mademoiselle Calment the agreed monthly payment until she died—at age 122! On her 120th birthday she had commented, “In life, one sometimes makes bad deals.” If you know Christ as Savior, you can face the future with joy. Spend Them Wisely Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. —Psalm 90:12 Today's Scripture:Psalm 90:1-17 A high school teacher in Los Angeles had a unique way of stimulating her students to think. From time to time she would write brief messages on the chalkboard that were unrelated to their current studies. One morning, the students found the number 25,550 written on the board. One pupil finally raised his hand and asked the instructor why that particular number was there. She explained that 25,550 represented the number of days in the life of a person who lives to be 70. The teacher was trying to emphasize life’s brevity and the value of each day. When I was young and looked ahead, time seemed to move so slowly. It was hard to imagine what older folks often said—that time passed so quickly they wondered where it had gone. But as I grew older, the years seemed short and fleeting, especially when compared with eternity. Don't just spend time; invest it. "Nothing Is Ever Sure" You do not know what will happen tomorrow. —James 4:14 Today's Scripture: In November 1975, the huge freighter Edmund Fitzgerald sank in the cold waters of Lake Superior during a fierce storm. Only a week before the tragedy, chief steward Robert Rafferty had written to his wife, “I may be home by November 8. However, nothing is ever sure.” The prophetic irony of his words was noted in a newspaper article listing the 29 crew members who perished in the disaster. Not a day passes without a reminder that our earthly life can end at any moment. All we need to do is read the obituary column. One message comes through loud and clear: We’re here today, but we may be gone tomorrow! “What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). Is our only certainty, then, the sobering prospect that at any moment we may be thrust into eternity? No! Christ is the anchor of the soul. He paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. If we admit our guilt before God, we will receive forgiveness and eternal life by trusting Him. He has promised to remain with us, even in the hour of death. Life is uncertain, Death is sure, Sin is the cause, Christ is the cure! —Anon. It's never too soon to accept Christ, but at any moment it could be too late. Will You Live To Be 100? Read: James 4:13-17 What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. —James 4:14 Magazine publisher J. I. Rodale, a zealous advocate of health foods, claimed at the age of 72 that he would live to be 100. The same week that his prediction appeared in The New York Times, he was being interviewed for a television program, again claiming that his bones were as strong as ever. Moments after making his boast, he died of a heart attack. Dr. Stuart Berger, a nutritionist, claimed that he had the formula for living past the century mark. Although he had supposedly found the secret of youthfulness and had convinced many to follow his advice, he died in his sleep at the age of 40, grossly overweight. Then there was author Jim Fixx, who advocated running to prevent coronary trouble. Yet at the age of 52 he died of a heart attack—yes, ironically, while running. Common sense dictates that we ought to take every possible measure to keep ourselves healthy. But in the final analysis, each of us must pray, “I trust in You, O Lord . . . . My times are in Your hand” (Ps. 31:14-15). Whether we're old or young, not one of us can say Just when will come to each his final earthly day; Thus while this life is ours, Lord, may we now prepare, So death may never come and take us unaware. —Anon. If we are prepared to die, we are prepared to live. Will You Be Around? Read: James 4:13-17 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. —Proverbs 27:1 I read the following account in a medical magazine: When the physical examination of a 78-year-old man had been completed, the doctor recommended that he come back in 6 months for another checkup. At this suggestion the aged patient shook his head and said, “Doctor, I don’t think I’ll be around then.” “Nonsense!” replied the physician with a reassuring smile. “You’ll be around for years yet.” The elderly man gave him an odd look, then explained, “I mean that I’ll be in Florida. I go there every January.” This story may cause us to smile, but the question it raises is very sobering. Will you and I be around tomorrow, next month, next year? It surely is sensible to make plans for the future, but we must always do so with an awareness of life’s uncertainty. As James reminded us in the Bible reading for today, life is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (4:14). Because of this we ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” (v.15). The present only is our own, Live and toil with a will; Do not wait until tomorrow, For life's clock may then be still. —McCartney Settle all accounts today; you can't bank on tomorrow. What Will You Write? 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. —James 4:14 Today's Scripture:Psalm 90 In January 2006, a mine explosion in rural West Virginia threatened the lives of 13 coal miners. Having grown up in that state, I was among the millions riveted to the news for the next few days. Tragically, all but one of the miners were found dead. To compound the pain of that loss, the first reports given to the families said that all but one had been found alive. When the grim news of the deaths came, the grief was compounded with anger—and a desire to blame someone for the whole gut-wrenching event. At one of the funerals, however, Rev. Wease Day asked the hurting to look in a different direction—within. During their last hours, some of the miners had written notes to their families, in some cases offering comfort and hope. In light of that, Pastor Day urged his congregation not to seek to fix blame. He instead challenged them to imagine what they would write in a farewell note if they had only hours to live. Lord and Savior, Christ divine, Reign within this heart of mine; May my witness ever be Always, only, Lord for Thee. —Brandt A Christlike life is a message of hope to a searching world. Life's Uncertainty You do not know what will happen tomorrow. —James 4:14 Today's Scripture:James 4:13-17 Life’s one certainty is its sheer uncertainty. As Scripture reminds us, we “do not know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:14). Real estate developer Larry Silverstein can bear witness to the truth of that text. Though he owned impressive property in New York City, he was, according to his own testimony, obsessed by the desire to add the great Twin Towers of the World Trade Center to his holdings. His wish came true. Six weeks before those two imposing skyscrapers were destroyed by terrorists, he had obtained a 99-year lease worth $3.2 billion for that majestic center. Sadly, the fulfillment of our dreams can sometimes turn into nightmares. This reminds us not only of the uncertainty of life, but also of the need to align our desires with God’s will. Experience teaches us that if we allow presumption to run our lives, the fulfillment of our own compulsive dreams may turn to dust and ashes. There are legitimate desires, to be sure, but the book of James tells us how to approach them. Instead of presuming that our plans and dreams will be fulfilled, we ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” (4:15). Our life is uncertain, our path is unclear, Yet we have no cause to falter or fear If plans that we make our dreams to fulfill Are born out of love for God and His will. —D. De Haan A Vanishing Vapor Read: James 4:13-17 What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. —James 4:14 Evangelist D. L. Moody told a story about a minister who was preparing a sermon on the urgency of receiving Christ without delay. After studying for some time, the preacher fell asleep in his chair and had a strange dream in which he overheard a conversation among several demons. They were huddled together, trying to devise a scheme for leading people on earth into hell. One of the evil spirits said, “Let’s tell people that the Bible is not the Word of God and that it can’t be trusted.” The others responded, “That isn’t enough.” Another spoke up, “Let’s tell them that God doesn’t exist, that Jesus was only a good man, and that there really is no heaven or hell.” Again the others responded negatively. Finally, a third demon said, “Let’s tell people there is a God, a Savior, and a heaven, and a hell. But let’s assure them that they’ve got all the time in the world to be saved, and encourage them to put off the decision.” “That’s it!” the others shouted gleefully. Come to the Savior, make no delay— Here in His Word He's shown us the way; Here in our midst He's standing today, Tenderly saying, "Come!" —Root Satan says, "Procrastinate!" but God says, "Don't wait!" For A Limited Time 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. —James 4:14 Today's Scripture:James 4:13-17 On a crisp October morning, our local newspaper featured a stunning photo of sun-drenched aspen trees whose leaves had turned autumn gold. The caption read: FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY. The irresistible invitation to take a drive through the mountains to savor the brilliant colors conveyed the urgency of doing it quickly. Autumn leaves that are golden today are often gone tomorrow. Our opportunities to obey God’s promptings are also fleeting. James warned against an arrogance that assumes endless days will be available to carry out our good intentions. “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. . . . Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (4:14,17). Is there an act of kindness or encouragement that God has urged you to do for someone in His name? How long has it been since that first prompting? With so many demands on our time, the urgent tasks demand our attention while the important things can be postponed. But a time will come when even the important can no longer be done. If God is prompting you today To help someone who has a need, Don’t hesitate, the time is short; Tomorrow is not guaranteed. —Sper Doing what’s right today means no regrets tomorrow. How To Face Another Day This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. —Psalm 118:24 Today's Scripture:James 4:13-17 World-famous cellist Pablo Casals once gave this challenging testimony: “For the past 80 years I have started each day in the same manner. . . . I go to the piano and I play two preludes and fugues of Bach. I cannot think of doing otherwise. It is a benediction on the house. But that is not its only meaning for me. It is a rediscovery of the world of which I have the joy of being a part.” If that is how a dedicated musician daily started his waking hours, we Christians—by the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit—can surely dedicate each new day to our Lord. No matter where we are or what our situation may be, each day we can resolve to dedicate the hours before us to God’s praise. As David wrote, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). If you are facing loneliness or pain as once again you pick up your burden, you can draw on the Lord’s resources and be a living testimony of His all-sufficiency. If you’re filled with thanksgiving and praise, you can tell others of God’s goodness. This is the day the Lord hath made, He calls the hours His own; Let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad, And praise surround the throne. —Watts If you know Jesus, you always have a reason to rejoice. Who's In Control? A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. —Proverbs 16:9 Today's Scripture: Proverbs 16:1-9 I smiled as a friend told me about his experience in a New York City taxi. The driver seemed determined to demonstrate his skill and daring in negotiating the traffic congestion of the big city. He went careening down busy streets, making abrupt turns, nearly sideswiping cars, and coming to screeching stops. My friend was sure the trip was going to end in a cemetery. He was frustrated and afraid because he didn’t have control, and he felt that his life was in unreliable hands. As I thought about my friend’s experience, it reminded me of our human tendency to want to be in charge of everything. We are nervous whenever we feel that the control of our lives is out of our hands. As followers of Christ, we know we need to yield to Him as the Lord of our lives. We can do that without fear as we remind ourselves that He would never be reckless in the way He leads us. We need to learn to relax in Him and believe that He can handle anything He allows to come into our lives. I know not what the day may bring— Tomorrow waits unknown; But this I know, the changeless Christ, My Lord, is on His throne. —Anon. Our unknown future is safe in the hands of the all-knowing God. Harvest Home You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. —James 5:8 Today's Scripture: James 4:13-17; 5:7-11 The hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” is often sung at Christian services of thanksgiving. Written in 1844 by Henry Alford, it begins with thanks to God for crops safely gathered in before winter. But it is more than gratefulness for the bounty of the land. The hymn ends by focusing on God’s “harvest” of His people when Christ returns: Even so, Lord, quickly come To Thy final harvest-home: Gather Thou Thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin; There, forever purified, In Thy presence to abide: Come, with all Thine angels, come— Raise the glorious harvest-home. As we give thanks for material needs supplied, it’s essential to remember that our plans are uncertain and our lives are a vapor that quickly disappear (James 4:14). James encourages us to be like a farmer waiting for his crops to grow and mature. “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (5:8). Work and pray! Continue faith When the Savior calleth, “Come,” Till at last we all are garnered To that heavenly harvest-home. —Stinson Even so, come, Lord Jesus! —Revelation 22:20 Two Calls What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. —James 4:14 Today's Scripture: James 4:13-17 Novelist Bret Lott received two life-changing calls on the same day. The first told him that one of his most promising writing students had died unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. The second call came several hours later from a popular television talk show host telling Lott that she had chosen one of his novels for her monthly on-air book club. It would mean instant celebrity status and financial success. The first call was sobering, the second was exhilarating—and he had to try to balance the two. Lott, a Christian, took a thick black marker and wrote his student’s name on a white index card and carried it for the next month. “I made a promise to myself,” he said. “I kept the index card in my pocket. It would remind me, ‘Don’t let this [fame] go to your head.'” The book of James compares our life to “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (4:14). Instead of becoming enamored by our success today and our plans for tomorrow, we should remember that our time is in God’s hands and each day is a gift from Him. Preparing for eternity, Awaiting all things new, Anticipating life with Christ Should always be our view. —Sper To make the most of today, keep eternity in mind. Making the Most of Life Psalm 39:4 “LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. A life-threatening experience has a way of rearranging one's priorities. That was true in the lives of former Texas Governor John Connally and his wife after he was wounded by the assassin who took the life of president John F. Kennedy in 1963. In an interview, Connally explained, "As far as Nellie and I are concerned, ... it inevitably brought into sharper focus what's really important in life... We try not to participate in things that are shallow or in the long run meaningless." I don't know how this prominent couple interpreted "what's really important in life," but there is wisdom in their conclusions. Like the inspired author of Psalm 39, they realized that life is too short to waste time on things that have no lasting significance or value (Ps 39:4-6). Have we reached the same conclusion? Have we put our trust completely in the Lord, knowing that only He can give lasting value to our lives? As we look ahead to a new year, can we say with the psalmist, "My hope is in You"? (Ps 39:7). One life for Christ is all I have, One life for Him so dear; One life for doing all I can With every passing year. - Brandt It's not how long you live that counts, but how you live. Will You Be Around? Proverbs 27:1 The present only is our own, Live and toil with a will; Do not wait until tomorrow, For life's clock may then be still. - McCartney Thought for the day: Settle all accounts today; you can't bank on tomorrow Rod Mattoon - Another reason why individuals waste their opportunity to trust in Christ is they procrastinate. They put off the matter until another time because they believe they will have time later to give their life to the Lord when they are ready. They are not hostile to the Lord or the Gospel, they just don't want to make any commitments to Christ right now. King Solomon and James issued a warning about procrastination and making assumptions about the future. James 4:14—Proverbs 27:1—Have you been given the opportunity to trust in Christ, but you squandered it? Don't delay any longer. You will be accountable for your opportunity. One Life Is Enough By Joanie Yoder Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. —Philippians 1:20 A mature Christian said longingly, “Oh, that I could turn back the clock 20 years and go on ministering for the Lord!” That’s a commendable wish but impossible to fulfill. One life is all we’re given. Within God’s sovereign purposes, one life, whether long or short, is enough. In Acts 20:22-23 and Acts 21:11, God revealed that tribulations and possible death awaited Paul in Jerusalem. But instead of avoiding Jerusalem, Paul declared, “None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24). Paul’s goal was not to extend his ministry but to complete it. Living for Christ makes life worth living. Vance Havner - I WON'T BE HERE LONG. James 4:14. Even the hour of keenest pain or months of sad bereavement will one day seem but a fleeting moment. Time is relative. A few minutes in a medical examination may seem an hour while a young suitor's evening with his best girl friend may seem but a few minutes. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory..." (2 Corinthians 4:17+). Our threescore and ten years are short "for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" (Psalm 90:10). We won't be here long and we shall grieve that we misused our days and even the best shall regret that they did not spend them better. Poet Ed Sissman wrote the following commentary on our lives: Men past forty, Get up nights, Look out at city lights And wonder Where they made the wrong turn And why life is so long. Bob McKinley lives in West Virginia. He was driving home on Wednesday afternoon on a day that was somewhat like this one, sort of drizzly and humid. He was driving up a hill. Coming from the other direction on a two-lane highway was a tractor-trailer with an empty, flatbed trailer. Just as Bob topped the hill and made the bend, the tractor-trailer came down. The tractor held the road, but the empty flatbed trailer flung around and wiped Bob off the road and into eternity. You don't know, do you? Exactly. We don't know under what circumstances our lives will come to an end. —Rick Wolling, "You Don't Know, Do You?," Preaching Today WHAT YOUR LIFE IS JAMES 4:14 - Billy Apostolon I. LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD. 1. God is the author of life; Gen. 2:7. 2. God holds the issues of life; Ps. 68:20. 3. God sustains life; Ps. 121:8. II. LIFE OFFERS A CHALLENGE. 1. There is a challenge to receive Jesus; John 1:12. 2. There is a challenge to serve Jesus; Luke 9:23. 3. There is a challenge to do good to all men; Gal. 6:10. III. LIFE HAS ITS JOY. 1. There is joy when a sinner comes home; Luke 15:6. 2. There is joy in worshipping Christ; Luke 24:52. 3. There is joy in suffering for Christ; Acts 16:25. IV. LIFE HAS ITS SORROW. 1. Job became wearied with life; Job 10:18–20. 2. Elijah became wearied with life; 1 Kings 19:4. 3. Jonah became wearied with life; Jonah 4:8, 9. V. LIFE IS BRIEF. 1. Life is like a vapor; James 4:14. 2. Life is like a shadow; 1 Chron. 29:15. 3. Life is but a step this side of death; 1 Sam. 20:3. VI. LIFE ON EARTH CAN BE EXTENDED. 1. By honoring parents; Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16. 2. By keeping God’s commandments; Deut. 4:40. 3. By respecting nature; Deut. 22:6, 7. VII. LIFE CAN BE EVERLASTING. 1. Jesus came that life could be abundant; John 10:10. 2. Jesus gives everlasting life; John 10:28. 3. Jesus assures of everlasting life; Phil. 1:6. NOW IS THE TIME TO OBEY JAMES 4:14 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. We discover from the Old Testament that the destructive practice of procrastination has been around for a long time (Proverbs 3:27–28; Isaiah 56:12). But the Bible has written the word NOW in large letters in the gospel message. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). The time for obedience is now! We cannot count on tomorrow, so we must take advantage of today. In business terms, yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is the only cash you have. According to James, knowledge and responsibility work together. To sin ignorantly is one thing, but to sin in the face of known truth is quite another. Statements from our Lord and the apostle Peter confirm the truth that James presents in verse 17: We are held accountable for what we know but fail (or, choose not) to do (Luke 12:47–48; 2 Peter 2:21). Sins of omission are just as serious as sins of commission. To omit God from the planning processes of our lives, knowing that we should include Him, is sin. (David Jeremiah) Life Is Temporary Average life spans are shorter than most of us realize. Unlike the great redwood trees that can last for a thousand or more years, most other things come and go quicker than we would imagine. After a little digging, I found several examples that illustrate how temporary things really are: Copper Plumbing—20-25 years Cat—15 years Face-Lift—6-10 years Vitamin—3 years Dollar Bill—18 months Painted line on the road—3-4 months Pro-basketball player's shoes—2 weeks Tornado—10 minutes I purposely omitted human beings. There are differences of opinion, but most would agree it's somewhere between 75 and 80 years. That may sound encouraging to the young and pretty disturbing to those in their eighties. The simple fact is, nobody knows for sure how long he or she may live. When we read and believe the warnings in Scripture, there is little doubt that life is short. James pulls no punches when he writes, "You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). Life? A puff of smoke...a cloud of dust... EXCURSUS ON THE FRAILTY AND FLEETING NATURE OF OUR LIFE Note the emphasis on the brevity of life in Job, who may have lived as long as 200 years. Of course, he suffered a completely unexpected loss of his children (Job 1:18, 19), which may explain some of the focus of this book on the fleeting nature of our lives. God could have just said "Life is short," but instead He gives us a plethora of pictures (shadows, breath, grass, flowers, etc, things we are all familiar with) to help us get a genuine grip on just how short life really is in light of the (endless) length of eternity! (1) A SHADOW Job 8:9 “For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow. Job 14:2; Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. Ps. 102:11 My days are like a lengthened shadow, And I wither away like grass. Ps 109:23 I am passing like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like the locust. Ps 144:4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. (2) A BREATH Job 7:7 “Remember that my life is but breath; My eye will not again see good. Job 7:16 “I waste away; I will not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath (Hebrew = Hebel = vapor, breath, vanity in Ecclesiastes) Ps 39:5 “Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths (equivalent to the width of four fingers = one of the smallest measures used by Israelites), And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah (Ponder this Passage!) Ps 39:11 “With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity; You consume as a moth what is precious to him; Surely every man is a mere breath. Selah. Ps 78:33ESV So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror. Ps 144:4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. (3) A CLOUD Job 7:9 “When a cloud vanishes, it is gone, So he who goes down to Sheol does not come up. Job 30:15 “Terrors are turned against me; They pursue my honor as the wind, And my prosperity has passed away like a cloud. (4) A FLOWER/GRASS Job 14:2; Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. Ps. 103:15-16 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer. Ps. 102:11 My days are like a lengthened shadow, And I wither away like grass. 2 Ki 19:26 Therefore their inhabitants were short of strength, They were dismayed and put to shame; They were as the vegetation of the field and as the green herb, As grass on the housetops is scorched before it is grown up. Isa. 40:6–8 A voice says, “Call out.” Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. 1 Pet. 1:24 For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, James 1:10 and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. (5) VANITY Eccl. 1:2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” Eccl 1:14; I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. Eccl 11:10 So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. (Same Hebrew word hebel - translated "vanity" above) (6) OTHER PICTURES Job 7:6 “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, And come to an end without hope. Job 9:25 “Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away, they see no good. Job 9:26 “They (my days) slip by like reed boats, Like an eagle that swoops on its prey. Job 14:1 Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. Psalm 90:4-6; 9; 10 For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night. 5 You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew. 6In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew; Toward evening it fades and withers away. (90:9) For all our days have declined in Your fury; We have finished our years like a sigh. (90:10) As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away. Psalms 102:3 For my days have been consumed in smoke, (Literally "for my days come to an end in smoke.") And my bones have been scorched like a hearth. (The English of the Septuagint has "my days have vanished like smoke." Isaiah 38:12 “Like a shepherd’s tent my dwelling is pulled up and removed from me; As a weaver I rolled up my life. He cuts me off from the loom; From day until night You make an end of me. What Is Your Life? James Smith, 1865 "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while — and then vanishes!" James 4:14+ If God asks a question — we should listen to it, think of it, and prepare an answer. Here the Lord puts a question to us; it refers to the brevity of our mortal existence; he asks each one of us, "What is your life?" We think much of it. We make great provision for it. We spend much thought upon it. We are very careful to preserve it. But what is it? Let us ponder this question. Let us give it the attention it deserves. It is especially suitable to us when shut up in our sick chamber, when afflicted and tried with losses and crosses, or at the commencement of a new year. Our sufferings may be great, our trials may be many — but they must be short — for what is our life? Let us look at the DURATION of our life. It is exceedingly brief. No one figure can set forth its brevity, or sufficiently affect our minds with it — and therefore many are employed. Our life is like a flower, which springs up under the influence of an eastern sun, which blossoms for an hour, and then fades and dies. Our life is like a shadow, which lessens and lessens until in a few minutes it is gone. Our life is like the shuttle which flies in the weaver's hand, and passes before the eye so swiftly, that one can but just see it and say — it is gone! Our life is like the wind which rushes by us; we hear it, we feel it — and it is no more. Our life is like the dried leaf which is made the sport of the breeze, and soon carried out of sight. In one passage in the book of Job, we have figures taken from three elements, to represent its rapid flight. "My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy. They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey!" (Job 9:25, 26). My life is like the swift ships, with all their sails spread, which, with the canvas crowded, glide along the watery way. My life is like the eagle hastening to its prey, compelled by hunger; with strong pinions it cuts the air, and is soon at the point where it would be! What then, is your life? "You are a mist that appears for a little while — and then vanishes!" What is your life in retrospect? Look back over the past ten or twenty years; how swiftly they have passed away, and every year appears to pass more quickly than the last! What is your life in comparison? What are your thirty, or forty, or even seventy years — if compared with the age of the antediluvian patriarchs — Methuselah, for instance? But what are they in comparison with eternity? Think of endless duration, of interminable ages; and while you think of them, ask, "What is my life?" Ah, what? No comparison can be drawn — but the thought may be improved. May the Lord help us to improve it. This naturally leads us to inquire — What is the DESIGN of our life? Why was life given us? Why is it continued to us? Our life has reference to three parties: First, to ourselves — the design is to prepare us for eternity. We must live forever; but how depends upon the present. If we live in sin here — we must live in suffering forever. If time is spent in folly — eternity will be sent in bitter, unavailing remorse and sorrow. But if we believe in Jesus, exercise repentance toward God, are renewed in the spirit of our minds, and devote our lives to God's service — then eternity will to us be an endless existence in pleasure, satisfaction, and unspeakable delight. In reference to God — the design of our life is to glorify him, which we can only do by believing his promises, embracing his Son, observing his precepts, and consecrating our time and all our talents to his praise. Here we should live for God — and then in eternity we shall live with God. Here we should aim in all things to honor God — and then in eternity God will honor us. In reference to our fellow-men — the design of our life is to benefit and do them good. No one is created for himself. Each one is bound to his fellow, and every one should aim to benefit the whole. We should serve our generation by the will of God. Our life is misapplied, it is squandered, it is wasted in folly..... if we do not use it to secure our eternal salvation, to promote God's glory, and to advance the holiness and happiness of our fellow-men. What is the CHARACTER of our life? Looking at its natural character — it is a gift conferred upon us by our beneficent Creator. A gift which, if rightly used, will prove invaluable; but which, if abused, will be an occasion of eternal regret. God gave us life; He placed us highest in the scale of His creatures; He made us capable of serving, enjoying, and glorifying Him for ever; He has given us also the means of grace, set before us the way of salvation, and promised his Holy Spirit unto those who ask Him. Having given us life, He has crowned that life with loving-kindness and tender mercies, and has pointed out the way by which we may obtain everlasting blessedness. But let us look at its moral character. What is our life in reference to others? Is it exemplary? Is it convincing? Is it useful? Is it likely to make a good impression? What is our life in reference to ourselves? Is it holy or profane? Is it godly or ungodly? Is it befitting an immortal being, one who must live forever? This view of the subject is not sufficiently attended to by many. Is it attended to by us? What is the IMPORTANCE of our life? Ah, who shall say? Who can describe, what language can set forth — the importance of our present life? Our life is the bud of being — the flower will not open on this side the grave. Our life is the youth of existence — we shall not be full-grown in this world. Our life is the seedtime of eternity — what is sown now — will be reaped in an eternal, changeless state. Our life is the introduction to immortality! What then is its importance? Ask the dying sinner, whose eyes are just opened, whose soul is just awakened to the solemnities of the eternal world. What reply will he give? Look at his death-struck countenance, mark the expression of his half-glazed eye, hear the accents of his tremulous voice; but he fails, he tries in vain to set forth the importance of the present life. He exclaims, "Oh, that I had my time over again! Oh, that I had one year — but one month, one week, of the time I have squandered! But wishing is in vain! The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and I am not saved! The importance of life I cannot describe. The value of time I can never declare." Ask the lost soul. The soul which, like the rich man, lifts up its eyes in Hell, being in torment. Despair now rules over the immortal spirit. Agonies, beyond description, torture the never dying intellect. What is the lost soul's estimate of the importance of life? It would require a new language to describe, unearthly figures to illustrate, and a voice such as we have never heard — to set forth its estimate of the precious gift of life! Only in the depths of Hell, or in the highest Heavens — is the value of life really known! The glorified saint, while he tunes his golden harp, sings his never-dying song, and drinks in pure and celestial pleasure, can estimate — but not fully describe, the importance of this present life! Unsaved sinner — what is your life? Is it sin? Time spent in opposing God? Time squandered upon folly? Time dreamed away to no useful purpose? Is it trifling? On, how many trifle away their precious time! They despise their own souls. They live as if existence were bounded by time — and all beyond were annihilation. Is it folly? How many live as fools! They provide for the body — but they neglect the soul. They live for time — but they lose sight of eternity. The allotted time passes away unheeded. The day of salvation is spent in sin! They only lay a foundation for everlasting self-condemnation, and open in their own hearts a source of never ceasing agony! Believer — what is your life? Is it Christ? Can you say with Paul, "For me to live is Christ!" Does Christ live in you? Are you spiritually minded — and do you find it life and peace? Is it a wise preparation for eternity? Are you living now — as you will wish you had lived by-and-bye? Life is at best but short.... let us improve it. Life is uncertain.... let us make sure work for eternity. Life, if rightly viewed, is very solemn..... let us spend it as intelligent and accountable creatures should. And when tempted to trifle, when inclined to squander away a day or an hour — let the question influence our decision, "What is your life?" If it is brief — should it be spent thus? And let the Savior's question be seriously considered by all who make gain the end of life — "What shall it profit a man — if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36, 37+) Reader! the time is short, eternity is near, salvation is of infinite importance! Let us therefore decide, and accept the Savior's glorious invitation at once, and so shall we be saved forever! The Time is Short! James Smith, 1860 "But this I say, brethren — the time is short!" 1 Corinthians 7:29 Our time on earth is short — and it is daily growing shorter! Life quickly glides away — and death and eternity quickly approaches. In a little while — we shall close our eyes on all the scenes of earth, and be done with all the concerns of time. Few things fly swifter than time, or teach us more solemn lessons. Yet we slight them, and forget them, or fail to improve them. O for grace to derive comfort, reproof, and stimulus from the brevity of time. "The time is short!" Then our troubles must be short, for they are all limited to time. They are the offspring of sin, and will not out-live their parent! Every trouble, leaves one the less to be endured. Soon the last trouble will arrive! Let us therefore bear them with patience, endure them with fortitude, and rejoice in the prospect of bidding them an eternal farewell. Our sharpest, severest trials — will soon be ended! And then, all that will remain, will be eternal peace and joy. "The time is short!" Then the pleasures of time will soon terminate! As sweet as they are, they are fleeting. Prize them as we may — we must soon part with them. Not one of them go with us beyond the dying bed. Let us not, then, value them too highly, or set our hearts too much upon them. Earthly comforts, worldly distinctions and honors — will soon have passed away. The rich and the poor will soon meet together in the graveyard. The peasant and the prince, the beggar and monarch — will alike slumber in the dust. Let us then, if tempted to think too much of the worldly distinctions, or value too highly the comforts of life — remember that time is short! "The time is short!" Then our opportunities to be useful must be few and brief. A short day, at least, is all that is allotted to us, to do good below. Therefore we are admonished to work, while it is called today, for the night comes when no man can work. If I write for God — I must do it now. If I speak for Christ — I must speak now. If I try to save souls from eternal death — I must do it now. If I would comfort the sad and sorrowful — I must do it now. Whatever your hand finds to do — do it with all your might; for there is neither work, nor device, nor wisdom in the grave to which we are fast hastening! [Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.] "The time is short!" Then Jesus will soon be here. He is coming, and his people are crying, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" He is coming, and his Word assures us, "He who shall come — will come, and will not tarry." How will many things appear, which now occupy our time, engross our attention, and steal away our hearts — when Jesus comes? On this astonishing event, we should fix our eye (ED: SEE VERTICAL VISION). On this glorious manifestation of Christ, we should set our hearts. For this majestic appearing of the Son of God, we should prepare and watch. A few short days, or months, or at the most years — and Jesus will be here. He will come, and gather His saints to Him, make all His people like Himself, and so they shall be ever with Him. Lost sinner, "the time is short!" Are you saved? Are you ready for the coming of Jesus, or the day of death? What will the end of time bring you? Where will it land you? How will it find you? Will it find you a new creature in Christ Jesus? Will it find you pardoned, justified, and sanctified? Will it find you prepared — ready — waiting, for Heaven and glory? Or will it find you dead in sins, without Christ, unsanctified and unsaved? Look into the matter now, attend to your soul and its salvation at once, for it is of the greatest importance. O flee from the wrath to come! O seek, seek the Lord, that you may be hid in the day of his fierce anger, and stand accepted before Christ at his coming. Backslider, "the time is short!" Repent and do your first works. Go and return to your God, from whom you have so deeply revolted. Seek afresh the application of the atoning blood, and the cleansing operations of the Holy Spirit. Beware, O beware, lest coming suddenly, your Lord finds you sleeping! Beware, lest you be found naked, and so be ashamed before him at his coming! Rather, seek to be found without spot, unrebukable, and blameless in the day of Jesus Christ. Your conduct has been base, your sin is grievous — but there is merit in the blood of Jesus, there is mercy in the heart of Jesus, and there is a full warrant in the Word of Jesus for you to return, and be fully blessed. Discouraged Christian, "the time is short!" Go on with your work. Do not look too much at the clouds, nor pay much attention to the winds — but plow in hope, sow in hope, and watch in hope for a harvest. You are not able to command success — but you can be faithful; and your master has promised to reward your faithfulness at His coming. Yield not to fear, listen not to unbelief, give not way to Satan, for "the time is short," and your work, however feeble, however imperfect, however unproductive it may now appear — shall be fully rewarded. Believer, "the time is short," lift up your head with joy. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for tribulation will soon cease, sorrow will soon flee away, and the days of your mourning shall be ended. Time is the limit of your trials, temptations, and troubles. Time is the limit of your conflicts, doubts, and fears. Time is the limit of your pains, privations, and griefs. Beyond time — all is peace and pleasure, purity and perfection, happiness and rest! Lift up then your head with joy, for your redemption, your eternal redemption draws near! Solitude Sweetened by James Meikle, 1730-1799 Brevity of life "What is your life? You are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away!" (James 4:14) What is all this struggle in the world for? Why so many attempts to be something, and have something—in the sphere of nothing? This struggle for passing vanities, is as if the foam and bubbles should contend for station on the rapid stream—but in a moment they are are gone! We forget that we are but of yesterday—and tomorrow we are no more. It is a shame to think so much about these few fleeting days—and so little of endless ages. Let me look to the generations past. How few of our deceased acquaintances are remembered! And how soon, like them, shall we also be forgotten! Perhaps the names of a few, signalized by an uncommon fame, may yet tingle in our ears; but what is this to those who are fixed in their final state? Could it mitigate their misery, who have begun their everlasting howlings, that the whole world were ringing with their praises? Or, could it add to the joy of who have begun their endless hallelujahs, that every tongue were employed in praise to their memory—then well might we be pardoned in our pursuit of fame. How frail is our life! a pile of grass, a withered leaf, dry stubble, a flower, a breath, brittle clay, fading flesh! How swift is our life! a weaver's shuttle, an eagle, a ship, a wind that passes away, and comes not again. How short is our life! a moment, a breathing. While I bewail a departed friend, death, suddenly seizing me, translates the lamentation to another tongue that is most nearly concerned in me, who also in a little time must follow me into the silent grave, and leave the protracted elegy to be continued by their nearest relations. Thus mourning is continued, though the mourners themselves are hurried away to death in a short time! Surely I need not be so anxious about a life so short, a state so uncertain, and a world so vain—where I am only a stranger, a pilgrim, a sojourner, and shortly leaving everything below. Let the world, then, go with me as it will, this shall not trouble me, who am daily going through the world, and shall in a little while—go entirely out of the world, to return no more. How, then, shall I spend this short life, my few winged moments, which are all appointed to me? Surely, in nothing better, than in looking out, and laying up for eternity! James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." Amplified You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing]. NET James 4:15 You ought to say instead, "If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that." GNT James 4:15 ἀντὶ τοῦ λέγειν ὑμᾶς, Ἐὰν ὁ κύριος θελήσῃ καὶ ζήσομεν καὶ ποιήσομεν τοῦτο ἢ ἐκεῖνο. NLT James 4:15 What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." KJV James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. ESV James 4:15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." ASV James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall both live, and do this or that. CSB James 4:15 Instead, you should say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." NIV James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." NKJ James 4:15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." NRS James 4:15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that." YLT James 4:15 instead of your saying, 'If the Lord may will, we shall live, and do this or that;' NAB James 4:15 Instead you should say, "If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that." NJB James 4:15 Instead of this, you should say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we shall still be alive to do this or that.' GWN James 4:15 Instead, you should say, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans." BBE James 4:15 But the right thing to say would be, If it is the Lord's pleasure and if we are still living, we will do this and that. If the Lord wills 2Sa 15:25,26 Pr 19:21 La 3:37 Ac 18:21 Ro 1:10 Ro 15:32 1Co 4:19 1Co 16:7 Heb 6:3 James 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DEO VOLENTE Deo Volente is a Latin phrase which literally means "God willing." Instead (473)(anti) is a preposition with the genitive which originally with a local sense over against, opposite; used figuratively in the NT "(1) to indicate a replacement instead of, in place of (Lk 11.11; Mt 20.28 and Mk 10.45 also belong here; Jn 1.16 indicates a successive replacement); (2) to indicate one thing as equivalent to another for, as, in place of (1Co 11.15); (3) in the sense of on behalf of, for, for the sake of (Mt 17.27); (4) to indicate a cause: for this reason, that is why ( Eph 5.31) because, in return for which (Lk 1.20); (5) to indicate a result, implying one thing for another so then, therefore (Lk 12.3)" (Friberg - Analytical Lexicon) In this context the idea is "instead of making your own plans independently of God..." Anti - 22x in 20v Matt. 2:22; Matt. 5:38; Matt. 17:27; Matt. 20:28; Mk. 10:45; Lk. 1:20; Lk. 11:11; Lk. 12:3; Lk. 19:44; Jn. 1:16; Acts 12:23; Rom. 12:17; 1 Co. 11:15; Eph. 5:31; 1 Thess. 5:15; 2 Thess. 2:10; Heb. 12:2; Heb. 12:16; Jas. 4:15; 1 Pet. 3:9 Note there are over 300 uses of anti in the Septuagint so here are just uses in Genesis - Gen. 2:21; Gen. 4:25; Gen. 9:6; Gen. 22:13; Gen. 22:18; Gen. 26:5; Gen. 29:27; Gen. 30:2; Gen. 30:15; Gen. 30:16; Gen. 30:18; Gen. 31:41; Gen. 36:33; Gen. 36:34; Gen. 36:35; Gen. 36:36; Gen. 36:37; Gen. 36:38; Gen. 36:39; Gen. 44:4; Gen. 44:33; Gen. 47:16; Gen. 47:17; Gen. 47:19; Matthew
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Spurgeon has an interesting insight commenting that... In one sense, Christians are the greatest friends of the world, for they desire the good of all men, and seek their salvation. But, in another sense, viewing the world as a great conglomerate of evil, we are no friends of the world. There is a certain form of theology, popular nowadays (see note below on the "Downgrade Controversy"), which teaches us that we ought to remove the line of demarcation between the Church and the world. This kind of teaching may be called theology, but it cometh not of God; it is a gross falsehood which we ought to abhor in the very depth of our spirit. Comment on the Downgrade Controversy: A controversy among the Baptists flared in 1887 with Spurgeon's first "Down-grade" article, published in The Sword & the Trowel. In the ensuing "Downgrade Controversy" The Metropolitan Tabernacle became disaffiliated from the Baptist Union, effectuating Spurgeon's congregation as the world's largest self-standing church and thus a precursor of megachurches of the 20th century. Contextually the Downgrade Controversy was British Baptists' equivalent of hermeneutic tensions which were starting to sunder Protestant fellowships in general. The Controversy took its name from Spurgeon's use of the term "Downgrade" to describe certain other Baptists' outlook toward the Bible (i.e., they had "downgraded" the Bible and the principle of sola scriptura). (Ref) Makes (2525) (kathistemi from kata = down + histemi = to set or stand) means literally “to stand or set down". To constitute. To cause someone to experience something (here = life as the enemy of God!) Most of the NT uses of kathistemi are figurative and refer to "setting someone down in office" or appointing or assigning a person to a position of authority. To put in charge or to appoint one to administer an office. To set in an elevated position.
Tiago 4:5
Spurgeon commenting that… There is a spirit, resident in the natural man, the human nature of man, which is always inclined toward hate and envy, always wanting to get somewhat from other men, and always grieved if other men seem to be or to have more than the person himself has. How is this spirit to be met? This verse supplies the answer, "He giveth more grace." (Jas 4:6- note) "More grace," -this is the great remedy for hate and envy. "More grace,"-this is the balm for sorrow. "More grace,"-this is our greatest help out of all difficulties. "More grace,"-this is the universal recipe for all that we need: "He giveth more grace."
Tiago 4:6
Spurgeon comments… Though the Lord be high. In greatness, dignity, and power, Jehovah is higher than the highest. His nature is high above the comprehension of his creatures, and his glory even exceeds the loftiest soarings of imagination. Yet He has respect unto the lowly. He views them with pleasure, thinks of them with care, listens to their prayers, and protects them from evil. Because they think little of themselves He thinks much of them. They reverence Him, and He respects them. They are low in their own esteem, and He makes them high in His esteem. But the proud He knows afar off. He does not need to come near them in order to discover their utter vanity: a glance from afar reveals to Him their emptiness and offensiveness. He has no fellowship with them, but views them from a distance; He is not deceived, but knows the truth about them, despite their blustering; He has no respect unto them, but utterly abhors them. To a Cain's sacrifice, a Pharaoh's promise, a Rabshakeh's threat, and a Pharisee's prayer, the Lord has no respect. Nebuchadnezzar, when far off from God, cried, "Behold this great Babylon which I have built"; but the Lord knew him, and sent him grazing with cattle. Proud men boast loudly of their culture and "the freedom of thought", and even dare to criticize their Maker: but He knows them from afar, and will keep them at arm's length in this life, and shut them up in hell in the next. Da 4:37 — "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." Therefore it says - (because of this, for this reason) This phrase is a customary formula for introduction of a quotation. James now quotes from the Septuagint (Lxx) translation of Proverbs 3:34 with one change of the word Lord (in the Septuagint) to God. In other words, James now introduces a scriptural verification of the truth he has just presented. Hiebert goes on to comment that… God's attitude toward an individual is determined by the person's inner attitude. This involves both a threat and a promise. The quotation aptly continues the previous warning but also clearly states the good news of God's grace to those with a humble attitude. In now quoting this double scriptural assertion immediately after the blessed assurance "but he gives us more grace," James reminds his readers, "Here is grace abundant, but in order that you make it yours you need a certain kind of receptacle." The experience of God's grace is conditioned by the attitude of the human heart. (Ibid) (Bolding added) First note the English translation of the Hebrew… Proverbs 3:34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers (Hebrew = those who deride or to boast so as to express utter contempt), yet He gives grace to the afflicted (Hebrew = anaw = poor, oppressed, afflicted, humble. They put themselves after others in importance. They are not proud, haughty, supercilious or self-assertive) Here is the English translation of the Septuagint (Lxx)… Proverbs 3:34 The Lord resists (Lxx = antitasso) the proud (Lxx = huperephanos); but he gives grace (Lxx = charis) to the humble (to those who are "low down", Lxx = tapeinos); Here we see the principle of the "gravity of grace" = it flows down! As we bow or are brought low at the foot of the Cross of Christ, His amazing grace flows into our lives, cp 2Cor 8:9). The UBS Handbook comments that… The quotation is from Pr 3.34, based on the text of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The Hebrew has “he” as the subject, the Septuagint has “the Lord,” and James has “God.” The function of the quotation seems to be to serve as a transition from negative to positive, that is, to a call to humility and repentance. It consists of a threat and a promise: God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series) God is opposed to the proud - As explained below, God stands in continual opposition to the proud. In other words, pride is the death of grace. The proud person does not believe he or she needs grace. To draw upon the grace of God we must cultivate the attitude of humility which continually recognizes its need. In the context of James 4, the proud are those who have made themselves friends with the godless (even "anti-God") world system.
Tiago 4:6
Spurgeon - Let us be humble that we may not need to be humbled, but may be exalted by the grace of God.
Tiago 4:6
Spurgeon: Those who look down on others with scorn shall be looked down upon with contempt ere long. The Lord abhors a proud look. What a reason for repentance and humiliation! How much better to be humble than to provoke God to humble us in his wrath! A considerable number of clauses occur in this passage in the future tense; how forcibly are we thus brought to remember that our present joy or sorrow is not to have so much weight with us as the great and eternal future! High looks: namely, the proud; the raising up of the eyebrows being a natural sign of that vice. Psalms 101:5 Proverbs 6:17. John Diodati. Psalm 94:2-note Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render recompense to the proud. (Lxx = huperephanos) Render a reward to the proud, give them measure for measure, a fair retaliation, blow for blow. The proud look down upon the gracious poor and strike them from above, as a giant might hurl down blows upon his adversary; after the same manner, O Lord, lift up thyself, and "return a recompense upon the proud," and let them know that thou art far more above them than they can be above the meanest of their fellow men. The psalmist thus invokes the retribution of justice in plain speech, and his request is precisely that which patient innocence puts up in silence, when her looks of anguish appeal to heaven. Psalm 101:5-note Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty (Lxx = huperephanos) look and an arrogant heart will I endure. Spurgeon: Proud, domineering, supercilious gentlemen, who look down upon the poor as though they were so many worms crawling in the earth beneath their feet, the psalmist could not bear. The sight of them made him suffer, and therefore he would not suffer them. Great men often affect aristocratic airs and haughty manners, David therefore resolved that none should be great in his palace but those who had more grace and more sense than to indulge in such abominable vanity, Proud men are generally hard, and therefore very unfit for office; persons of high looks provoke enmity and discontent, and the fewer of such people about a court the better for the stability of a throne. If all slanderers were now cut off, and all the proud banished, it is to be feared that the next census would declare a very sensible diminution of the population. Pride will sit and show itself in the eyes as soon as anywhere. A man is seen what he is in oculis, in poculis, in loculis (in his eyes, his cups, and his resorts) say the Rabbins. See Pr 6:17. --John Trapp. Psalm 119:21-note Thou dost rebuke the arrogant (Lxx = huperephanos), the cursed, who wander from Thy commandments. Spurgeon: Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed. This is one of God's judgments: he is sure to deal out a terrible portion to men of lofty looks. God rebuked Pharaoh with sore plagues, and at the Red Sea "In the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord." In the person of the naughty Egyptian he taught all the proud that he will certainly abase them. Proud men are cursed men: nobody blesses them, and they soon become a burden to themselves. In itself, pride is a plague and torment. Even if no curse came from the law of God, there seems to be a law of nature that proud men should be unhappy men. This led David to abhor pride; he dreaded the rebuke of God and the curse of the law. The proud sinners of his day were his enemies, and he felt happy that God was in the quarrel as well as he. Psalm 119:51-note The arrogant (Lxx = huperephanos) utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from Thy law. Spurgeon: The proud have had me greatly in derision. Proud men never love gracious men, and as they fear them they veil their fear under a pretended contempt. In this case their hatred revealed itself in ridicule, and that ridicule was loud and long. When they wanted sport they made sport of David because he was God's servant. Men must have strange eyes to be able to see a farce in faith, and a comedy in holiness; yet it is sadly the case that men who are short of wit can generally provoke a broad grin by jesting at a saint. Conceited sinners make footballs of godly men. They call it roaring fun to caricature a faithful member of "The Holy Club"; his methods of careful living are the material for their jokes about "the Methodist"; and his hatred of sin sets their tongues wagging at long faced Puritanism, and straitlaced hypocrisy. If David was greatly derided, we may not expect to escape the scorn of the ungodly. There are hosts of proud men still upon the lace of the earth, and if they find a believer in affliction they will be mean enough and cruel enough to make jests at his expense. It is the nature of the son of the bondwoman to mock the child of the promise. Psalm 119:69-note The arrogant (Lxx = huperephanos) have forged a lie against me; With all my heart I will observe Thy precepts. Spurgeon: The proud have forged a lie against me. They first derided him (Psalms 119:51), then defrauded him (Psalms 119:61), and now they have defamed him. To injure his character they resorted to falsehood, for they could find nothing against him if they spoke the truth. They forged a lie as a blacksmith beats out a weapon of iron, or they counterfeited the truth as men forge false coin. The original may suggest a common expression -- "They have patched up a lie against me." They were not too proud to lie. Pride is a lie, and when a proud man utters lies "he speaketh of his own." Proud men are usually the bitterest opponents of the righteous: they are envious of their good fame and are eager to ruin it. Slander is a cheap and handy weapon if the object is the destruction of a gracious reputation; and when many proud ones conspire to concoct, exaggerate, and spread abroad a malicious falsehood, they generally succeed in wounding their victim, and it is no fault of theirs if they do not kill him outright. O the venom which lies under the tongue of a liar! Many a happy life has been embittered by it, and many a good repute has been poisoned as with the deadliest drug. It is painful to the last degree to hear unscrupulous men hammering away at the devil's anvil forging a new calumny; the only help against it is the sweet promise, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that riseth against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn." The proud. Faith humbleth, and infidelity maketh proud. Faith humbleth, because it letteth us see our sins, and the punishments thereof, and that we have no dealing with God but through the mediation of Christ; and that we can do no good, nor avoid evil, but by grace. But when men know not this, then they think much of themselves, and therefore are proud. Therefore all ignorant men, all heretics, and worldlings are proud. They that are humbled under God's hands, are humble to men; but they that despise God do also persecute his servants. --Richard Greenham. Psalm 119:78-note May the arrogant (Lxx = huperephanos) be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; But I shall meditate on Thy precepts. Spurgeon: Shame is for the proud, for it is a shameful thing to be proud. Shame is not for the holy, for there is nothing in holiness to be ashamed of. Psalm 119:122-note Be surety for Thy servant for good; Do not let the arrogant (Lxx = huperephanos) oppress me. Psalm 123:4-note Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud (Lxx = huperephanos). Spurgeon: And with the contempt of the proud". The proud think so much of themselves that they must needs think all the less of those who are better than themselves. Pride is both contemptible and contemptuous. The contempt of the great ones of the earth is often peculiarly acrid: some of them, like a well known statesman, are "masters of gibes and flouts and sneers", and never do they seem so much at home in their acrimony as when a servant of the Lord is the victim of their venom. It is easy enough to write upon this subject, but to be selected as the target of contempt is quite another matter. Great hearts have been broken and brave spirits have been withered beneath the accursed power of falsehood, and the horrible blight of contempt. For our comfort we may remember that our divine Lord was despised and rejected of men, yet he ceased not from his perfect service till he was exalted to dwell in the heavens. Let us bear our share of this evil which still rages under the sun, and let us firmly believe that the contempt of the ungodly shall turn to our honour in the world to come: even now it serves as a certificate that we are not of the world, for if we were of the world the world would love us as its own. Psalm 140:5-note The proud (Lxx = huperephanos) have hidden a trap for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set snares for me. Selah. Isaiah 2:12-note For the LORD of hosts will have a day of reckoning against everyone who is proud (Lxx = huperephanos) and lofty, And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased. Isaiah 13:11+ Thus I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud (Lxx = huperephanos), And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless. Tony Evans gives an interesting illustration of the deception of pride - A little boy came to his father one day and said, “Dad, I measured myself, and I’m eight feet, four inches tall.” His father said, “Son, you know you’re not eight feet tall.” “Yes, I am,” the boy replied. “I measured myself, and I’m more than eight rulers tall.” The father went to see what the boy was measuring himself with and discovered it was a six-inch ruler. You can always get taller if you’re using the wrong gauge. A lot of us think more of ourselves than we ought to think because we’re measuring ourselves against the wrong people. We’re comparing ourselves with each other instead of with God. We need to measure ourselves against the right standard. (Evans, A. T. The Battle is the Lord's : Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press) In its most base for pride represents a denial of dependence upon the Almighty God. As William Seeker said "Pride is a sinner's torment, but humility is a saint's ornament." But (1161)(de) is an adversative (expressing antithesis or opposition) which introduces a striking change of direction from the path of pride to the walk of humility. Kistemaker remarks that "Pride shuts out grace. If a patient refuses to take the medicine prescribed by the physician, he will never recover. If a son rejects the wise counsel of his parents, he can expect trouble. Pride enters the human heart because man measures himself by human standards, not God’s standards. The believer who lives in constant fellowship with God, who desires to do God’s will in all things, and who demonstrates the love of the Lord Jesus is the recipient of God’s abundant grace. (Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. Vol. 14: New Testament commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House)
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Spurgeon - The testimony of Scripture concerning man's nature is manifestly true. We are by nature selfish and envious; but grace will enable us to conquer our inbred sins, if we humbly own them, and ask for help to overcome them. Barton rightly remarks that "Pride makes us self-centered and leads us to conclude that we deserve all we can see, touch, or imagine. It creates greedy appetites for far more than we need. Pride can subtly cause us to no longer see our sins or our need for forgiveness. But humility opens the way for God’s grace to flow into our lives. (Barton, B. B., et al. Life Application Bible Commentary. Romans: Tyndale House Publishers) BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE: de didosin (3SPAI) charin: 2Chr 32:26; 33:12,19,23; 34:27; Job 22:29; Ps 9:12; Pr 15:33; 18:12; Pr 22:4; Isa 57:15 James 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries James 4:4-6 Spiritual Adultery & Resolving Conflicts - Steven Cole James 4:6-7 Drawing Near to God, Pt. 1 - John MacArthur GRACE IS AVAILABLE ARE YOU HUMBLE? Grace is what we need to escape the ever present, subtle snares of this evil world system (aion), our fallen flesh and the wily schemes (methodeia) of the devil (diabolos) (cp Jas 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7). Paul explains how grace personified serves as our teacher, our schoolmaster and our disciplinarian, empowering us to be victorious in the battle within our minds and hearts… For (explains Titus 2:10-note how bondslaves were able to adorn the doctrine of God) the grace of God has appeared (In the form of a Person, the Messiah - Jn 1:14, 16, 2Ti 2:1-note), bringing salvation to all men,12 (the grace of God) instructing (present tense = continually, so if we don't partake of this "instruction" and "empowerment" it is not for lack of supply - cp 2Co 12:9-note, 2Co 12:10-note) (paideuo = refers primarily to the training or discipline of children) us to deny (Ed: Beloved, do not try to "deny" these things in your own strength or by trying to keep a set of "do's and don't's" which is simply a subtle form of legalism and observe the effect of the Law on our old flesh nature - Ro 7:5-note]. We will always fail miserably. Grace and law are like oil and water - they do not mix. Never! Admit you cannot deny the world, the flesh and the devil in your own strength and cast yourself upon the abundant, sufficient grace of God! E.g., In Jas 4:7 we see the pattern of how one partakes of the grace of God and is enabled to defeat the fiery missiles of the evil one) ungodliness (asebeia) and worldly desires and to live (to live a graceful life we must continually be grace filled) sensibly (sophronos), righteously (dikaios) and godly (eusebos) in the present age,13 looking for (prosdechomai = looking expectantly as our lifestyle [present tense], getting up each morning and asking "Could this be the day?" and then living like it!) (What we are looking for will or should radically impact what and Who we are living for! No longer our own possession - see v14) the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;14 Who gave Himself for (huper = in our place = Our Substitute) us, that He might redeem (lutroo) us from every lawless deed and purify (katharizo = same verb James uses to command us to cleans our hands! Jas 4:7-note) for Himself a people for His own possession (periousios, cp 1Co 6:20, 7:23, 1Pe 2:9-note, Lv 20:26, Dt 26:18, 19, Ex 19:6), zealous (Christians should be radical) for good deeds . (Titus 2:11-note, Titus 2:12-note, Titus 2:13-note, Titus 2:14-note) Gives (1325) (didomi) as above is in the present tense which signifies God's giving is not just a one time gift but is a continual bestowal from an infinite source, Christ Jesus (Jn 1:14 grace and truth, Jn 1:16 grace "piled upon" grace). John Blanchard writes that… The essence of grace is that God is for us. (Truth for Life) Grace Greater than Our Sin Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt, Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within, Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin. —Julia H. Johnston Grace (5485) (charis [word study]) is God’s generous favor to undeserving sinners and needy saints. When we depend on God’s grace, we can endure suffering and turn trials into triumphs. Grace enables us to serve God in spite of difficulties (1Cor 15:9,10). Whatever begins with God’s grace will always lead to glory (Ps 84:11 [note]; 1Pe 5:10-note). First Peter shows how the three themes of suffering, grace, and glory unite to form an encouraging message for believers experiencing times of trial and persecution. These themes are summarized in 1Pe 5:10 (note) a verse we would do well to memorize. Grace is not license to do as we please, but the power to do as we should. God’s grace insures that those who have been truly regenerated will persevere until the end of life. This aspect of the work of grace (cp, "the gospel of grace of God", Acts 20:24) is called sanctification, a work of God “whereby we are renewed in the whole man and are enabled more and more to die daily unto sin and to live unto righteousness” as stated by the Westminster Shorter Catechism (Ro 12:2 note; Ep 4:23-note; Col 3:10-note; 2Cor 4:16). (Torrey's Topic Sanctification) Thomas Manton writes that God's giving of grace speaks… spiritually of the help and grace by which they may overcome their worldly desires; worldly desires cannot be overcome without the assistance of grace. (A Practical Exposition of James) The pastor and well known Christian writer Erwin Lutzer wais that… Only those who see themselves as utterly destitute can fully appreciate the grace of God. We can never be submissive to each other until we are first submissive to our Lord and Master Christ Jesus, a truth of which we need to be constantly mindful for we are no longer our own but belong to Him (1Co 6:18, 19, 20, Titus 2:14-note). It takes grace to submit to another believer, but God can and will give that needed grace if we humble ourselves before Him. GRACE IS COSTLY JESUS PAID THE PRICE The martyred believer Dietrich Bonhoeffer rightly reminds us that… grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Phil Newton explains that… Theologians speak of three types of grace: (1) Common grace, that which is given to everyone, e.g., air to breathe, warmth of the sun, etc.; (2) Saving grace, that which is the sovereign work of God in regenerating and calling sinners to himself that they might believe the gospel and be saved; (3) Sanctifying or sustaining or "walking" grace, that which is given by God to assist the believer in his spiritual maturity… We do not dispense grace nor manipulate it. It is not ours to demand of God but by its very nature, a gift of God. Multitudes of examples are found in the Old Testament of Israelites attempting to presume upon God's grace: e.g., manna given by grace but this grace presumed upon by those who failed to heed God's command to gather on Fridays enough for that day and the Sabbath. Why do we need grace? We are limited by our own weakness, sinfulness, and imperfections. We struggle with the pride that asserts our own strength, our own ability, and our own wisdom to the neglect of trusting the Lord. This does not mean that we are to fail to utilize all that God has entrusted to us by way of mind, personality, resources, and abilities. But it does mean that there is a difference between leaning upon ourselves and learning to lean upon the resources of our Lord. (Walking By Grace - James 4:6-10)
Tiago 4:6
Spurgeon put it this way… The more we are humbled in grace, the more we shall be exalted in glory… Humble hearts lie in the valleys where streams of grace are flowing, and hence they drink of them. Francis Quarles adds that… The best way to see divine light is to put out thine own candle.
Tiago 4:7
Spurgeon comments that... Where the root Grace of faith is found, other Graces will grow from it. Now notice how the Spirit of God, after having bidden us submit, goes on to show what else is to be done. He calls for a brave resistance of the devil. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The business of salvation is not all passive—the soul must be awakened to active warfare! I am to fall into the arms of Christ, that He may save me—I must trust Him completely. And when I depend upon Him I receive life—and the very first effort of that life is to strike with all its might the adversary of Christ and of my own soul. I am not only to contend with sin, but with the spirit which foments and suggests sin! I am to resist the secret spirit of evil as well as its outward acts. If you are to have peace with God there must be war with Satan! You cannot rest in your spirit and know the peace which faith gives unless you wage war to the knife against every evil and against the patron and Prince of Evil, even Satan. Are you ready for this? You cannot have peace unless you are! (Sermon) Motyer remarks that the command to resist... is not a word for one who is carrying the attack over into the enemy camp, but for one who is manning the defenses, knowing that enemy pressure is ceaseless and that he is constantly under fire. We do well to notice that it is those who have subordinated themselves to God who are commanded to stand firm against the devil. James knows of no act of consecration to God which takes us out of the conflict. On the contrary, it is the very act of decisive enlistment as his underlings which brings us into the firing-line and calls the devil’s attention to us as objects of attack. (Ibid) Ralph Martin says we are to... desist from aligning with the devil (shown by the pursuit of “demonic” wisdom, Jas 3:15; selfish ambition, Jas 3:16; murder, Jas 4:2; and friendship with the world, Jas 4:4-note) (Martin, R. P.. Vol. 48: Word Biblical Commentary : James. Dallas: Word, Incorporated) Resist the devil - This is the other side of the basic demand to submit. Submit first. Then resist. Don't run. Resist! There is no middle ground, no neutrality. Wholehearted submission to God is only possible as they resist God's archenemy. Stand against him decisively and definitively (aorist imperative). Take your stand against the devil. Fear the Lord and you won't fear the devil! Stand against the adversary in the strength provided by your submission to Christ. Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight: On earth is not his equal... Scowl fierce as he will; He can harm us none, For he is judged—undone; One little word o’erthrows him. --Martin Luther As Donald Barnhouse reminds us regarding resist the devil that... the one who tries to do this in his own strength will soon feel the force of flaming darts of the evil one. (Barnhouse, D. G. God's Glory: Romans 14:13-16:27. Grand Rapids, MI.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company) Thomas Manton has an interesting thought on the relationship between submission and resistance, noting that... If you will humbly submit to God, you must expect to resist Satan. In this case, note that true obedience finds much opposition from the devil. Since the fall, a godly life is not known by perfection of grace so much as by conflicts with sin. Satan is still busiest wherever he has least to do. Pirates do not set upon empty vessels, and beggars do not need to fear the thief. Those who have most grace feel most trouble from Satan. He envies them for enjoying the situation and interest in God that he himself has lost... (Satan) regarding the godly, he asks to sift them as wheat (Lk 22:31). Sometimes he buffets them with dreadful suggestions, at other times with worldly temptations. We cannot set upon a duty without Satan suggesting lazy thoughts and worldly advice. So then, you cannot judge yourselves forsaken by God because you are tempted by Satan; no brother in the flesh has not had his share (1Pe 5:9). Such conflicts are not inconsistent with faith and piety. The devil tried this even with Christ himself after he had a testimony from heaven (Matthew 4). Paul was troubled with one of Satan’s messengers (2Co 12:7). The best are exercised with the sorest conflicts. When the thief breaks into the house, it is not to take away coal but jewels... You must submit to God, but not to Satan. The Scriptures, in order to speak distinctly and clearly, make contrasts of necessary duties like this. So in 1Cor 14:20 we read, “ In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” Similarly in Ro 16:19, “I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” These sayings match this one of the apostle: you must submit and yet resist. Note that instead of worldly desires James mentions Satan. The apostle does not say, “resist sin,” but “resist Satan.” Note that Satan has a great hand in all sins. Survey the pedigree of sin, and you will see it may all call the devil father. Worldly desires are called his desires (Jn 8:44), and it is said that “anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Mt 5:37)—that is, from the devil. Giving way to anger is, in the apostle’s language, giving the devil a foothold (Eph 4:26,27). Survey the iniquities of every age, and is not Satan’s hand in it all? It is said of Judas’ treason against Christ that the devil prompted him (Jn 13:2). So too with Ananias: “How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied?” (Acts 5:3). And in 1Chr 21:1 we read, “Satan … incited David to take a census of Israel.” And in Mt 16:23KJV “Get thee behind me, Satan!” (kjv). The heathen, who did not understand the operations of the devil, thought all our conflicts were against internal passions. Now the apostle is clear that we fight not only against worldly desires, but “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12), which makes the fight all the fiercer. (A Practical Exposition of James) STAND FIRM! RESIST! In the great section on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18, it is notable that three times Paul emphasizes that we are to stand firm (Ep 6:11-note, Ep 6:13-note, Ep 6:14-note)... 11 Put on (aorist imperative - Do this now. Don't hesitate or procrastinate! This is war and the foe is invisible!) the full armor of God, that you may be able (dunamai - = be continually empowered) to stand firm against the schemes (methodeia) of the devil. 12 For our struggle (pale) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up (aorist imperative - Do this now. Don't hesitate or procrastinate!) the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist (anthistemi) in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm (aorist imperative - Do this now. Don't hesitate or procrastinate!) therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS In the parallel passage Peter (who experienced a personal encounter with Satan who was allowed to sift him Lk 22:31, 32 [NB: Satan always has to get the Sovereign God's permission to sift a saint! cp Job 1:8, 9, 10, 11, 12,] , ) issues several wartime commands to... Be of sober spirit (aorist imperative - Do this now. Don't hesitate or procrastinate!), be on the alert (aorist imperative). Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist (anthistemi in the aorist imperative) him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace (cp greater grace of Jas 4:6-note), who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (1Pe 5:8-note, 1Pe 5:9-note, 1Pe 5:10-note) I’ve found the secret of success, ’Tis holding, ’tis holding on; The way to every blessedness, ’Tis holding, ’tis holding on; Our warfare may be hard and fierce, Oft Satan’s arrows wound and pierce, But still we get more smiles than tears By holding on, by holding on. (I’ve Found the Secret of Success) Resist (436) (anthistemi from anti = against + histemi = to cause to stand) is literally to stand or set against. The definition of the English word resist is to withstand the force or effect of (in this case the attacks of the devil). The 1828 Webster's dictionary adds that resist means... Literally, to stand against; to withstand; hence, to act in opposition, or to oppose. A dam or mound resists a current of water passively, by standing unmoved and interrupting its progress. An army resists the progress of an enemy actively, by encountering and defeating it. Resist (like all 10 of the commands in James 4:7-10) is in the aorist imperative, which calls for a military like obedience. The active voice describes the subject making a volitional choice to resist. James is saying... Take a stand against the devil. Set yourself against the devil. Withstand the devil and his minions. Anthistemi means to arrange in battle against which pictures a face to face confrontation. It was used to refer to an army arranging in battle against the enemy force and so to array against. It means to set one's self against, to stand firm against someone else's onset, to oppose (place opposite or against), to resist by actively opposing pressure or power, to withstand (oppose with firm determination). It involves not only our attitude but a corresponding behavior. The aorist imperative commands the readers (verb is in plural) to resist effectively! Don't put this off. Don't delay. It even conveys a sense of urgency! The active voice means that we must make the choice of our will to resist.
Tiago 4:8
Spurgeon comments on David's declaration: But it is good for me to draw near to God. Had he done so at first he would not have been immersed in such affliction; when he did so he escaped from his dilemma, and if he continued to do so he would not fall into the same evil again. The greater our nearness to God, the less we are affected by the attractions and distractions of earth. Access into the most holy place is a great privilege, and a cure for a multitude of ills. It is good for all saints, it is good for me in particular; it is always good, and always will be good for me to approach the greatest good, the source of all good, even God himself. (Drawing near) is not one isolated act. It is nor merely turning to God, and saying, "I have come to him." The expression is draw. It is not a single act; it is the drawing, the coming, the habitual walk, going on, and on, and on, so long as we are on earth. It is, therefore, an habitual religion which must be pressed and enforced upon us. Montagu Villiers. 1855. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. (Ps 145:18) Spurgeon comments: The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him. Not only near by his omnipresence, but to sympathize and favour. He does not leave praying men, and men who confess his name, to battle with the world alone, but he is ever at their side. This favour is not for a few of those who invoke him; but for each one of the pious company. "All" who place themselves beneath the shield of His glorious name by calling themselves by it, and by calling upon it in supplication, shall find him to be a very present help in trouble. "To all that call upon him in truth": for there are many whose formal prayers and false professions will never bring them into communion with the Lord. To pray in truth, we must have a true heart, and the truth in our heart; and then we must be humble, for pride is a falsehood; and be earnest, or else prayer is a lie. A God of truth cannot be nigh to the spirit of hypocrisy; this he knows and hates; neither can he be far removed from a sincere spirit, since it is his work, and he forsakes not the work of his own hands. Manton comments that… Sin is departing from God; grace is returning. Come near to him, aim for the support of his presence; Christ is the way, but you must resolve upon it: I must and I will. “Your face, Lord, I will seek” (Ps 27:8); there must be a concern to bring the soul to this resolve. Note what it says in Jer 30:21+, “‘I will bring him near and he will come close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?’ declares the Lord.” But will you devote yourselves? A practical commandment arises from conviction of the necessity and excellence of the duty; as David says, “It is good to be near God” (Ps 73:28). There is one doubtful point in the text that must be cleared up before we go any further, arising from the use of the phrase come near to God, as if it were in our own power. Solution. First, this passage and similar ones show not what man wants to do but what he ought to do. We left God before he left us; we should be the first to return, as we were the first to leave. The wronged party may in justice wait for us to submit. Yet such is the Lord’s kindness that He loves us first (1John 4:19+). Second, commandments are not measures of our strength; it is not valid to argue from what ought to be done that it can or will be done. These things are expressed in this way for another purpose: to show God’s right, to convince the creature of weakness, to show us our duty, to show us that we should do our utmost, and to convince us of the things we have failed to do. Third, these precepts are not useless; they convey grace to those who are chosen. God fulfills what He commands, for, by means of the Spirit working with them, they are stirred up and made to come near to God… I shall conclude with Bernard’s wonderful saying: “We cannot seek God until we have found him; he wants to be sought in order that he may be found, and found in order that he may be sought: it is grace that must bring us to grace.” The stray sheep cannot be brought home unless it is on Christ’s shoulders… Coming near to God is not something we must do for an hour, it is not something appropriate merely when we are converted, but it is the work of our whole lives. (A Practical Exposition of James) Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart, Draw me, my Savior—so precious Thou art! Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast. Shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest”; Shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest.” Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring, Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King; Only my sinful, now contrite heart. Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart. Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart. Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine! Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign, All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride, Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified. Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified. Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last. Till safe in glory my anchor is cast; Through endless ages ever to be Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee; Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee! (Nearer, Still Nearer) The call of the prophet Isaiah in chapter 55 is very similar to James' commands in James 4:8, 9+… Seek (A command in Hebrew; Lxx = zeteo in aorist imperative = command for decisive action!) the Lord while He may be found; Call upon (A command in Hebrew; Lxx =aorist imperative = command for decisive action!) Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6, 7) The prophet Hosea cries out (primarily to the Northern 10 tribes, called "Israel" or sometimes "Ephraim" the name of the largest tribe)… Come, (Command in Hebrew) let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day that we may live before Him. (Hosea 6:1, 2+) The prophet Zechariah (prophesying to the Jews who returned to Palestine after the 70 year exile in Babylon - his call was to urge them to complete the rebuilding of the Temple) echoes Hosea and clearly parallels James' call to his Jewish readers to draw near to God and He would draw near to them… “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return (Command in Hebrew) to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 1:3) C. H. Spurgeon Anecdotes. Prayer, a Drawing Near to God -There was a time, late in the fifties, when Mr. Spurgeon had the use of the Congregational Church, Tunbridge Wells, secured for him by a friend. He preached there many times, and the present writer did not miss any one of the sermons. He remembers especially two of them. "Things that accompany Salvation" was one; the other was on prayer as drawing near to God: "It is good for me to draw near to God." His remarks went to show that, whether in a form of prayer or in extemporaneous supplication, that alone is true prayer in which the soul seeks to draw near to God. The divisions of the sermon were very remarkable and original. He said: "First, I shall use the text as a Touchstone." Second, I shall use it as a Whetstone, to sharpen the activity of the soul God-ward. "Third, I shall set it up as a Tombstone over the myriads of dead prayers, both formal and extempore." The discourse throughout was striking, telling, and searching. Three evangelical clergymen who were present evidently thought the sermon calculated to be profitable to others besides those who had listened to it, and they sought Mr. Spurgeon's permission to have it printed as a booklet for distribution in the town and neighborhood. Those services in the Congregational Church were the means of much good, and people came in from the country around to listen to the preacher, whose usefulness and popularity were extending on every side. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near; Praise Him in glad adoration. (Praise to the Lord, the Almighty) Draw near (1448) (eggizo) means to approach, draw closer to, draw near, be near, come near. So drawing near in space and drawing closer to some point. In short, to draw near in space. (Mt 21:1+, Lk 7:12+, Luke 15:1, 25+, Luke 18:35+. 19:29, 37, 41). Also used of drawing near in regard to time (Lk 22:1+). Friberg's summary of eggizo - intransitively in the NT approach, draw near, be near; (1) with the dative of person or place draw near to, approach (Acts 9.3+); (2) with eis draw near, approach a place (Mk 11.1+); (3) absolutely, of approaching in space be near (Mt 26.46+); of approaching in time draw near, be at hand (Lk 22.1+); perfect have come (Ro 13.12+) Hiebert writes that in eggizo was used in the Septuagint of the priests in the Tabernacle, duly qualified to approach God with their sacrifices (Lev 10:3+; Leviticus 21:21, 22, 23+); it also was used in a wider sense of man's approach to God in worship (Isa. 29:13; Hos 12:6). Thus the term conveys the thought of entering into communion with God as acceptable worshipers. Such drawing near to God marks "those who long to come into the closest possible relation to Him, in contrast to those who are His enemies and who keep at a distance from Him. Their sincere approach is assured of God's favorable response: "and he will come near to you." Like the returning prodigal (Lk 15:20+), they will find God waiting to welcome and restore them. (Ibid) Fruchtenbaum agrees that eggizo that "is used in the Septuagint for “worship.” It is the Levitical term for worship (cp Lev 10:3+, Leviticus 21:21+). The promise is draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you, which is a pledge of fellowship and communion. (Fruchtenbaum, A. G. The Messianic Jewish Epistles : Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude. Page 292. Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries)
Tiago 4:8
Spurgeon comments: Outward, practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. To wash in water with Pilate is nothing, but to wash in innocence is all important. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. It is vain to prate of inward experience unless the daily life is free from impurity, dishonesty, violence, and oppression. Those who draw near to God must have clean hands. What monarch would have servants with filthy hands to wait at his table? They who were ceremonially unclean could not enter into the Lord's house which was made with hands, much less shall the morally defiled be allowed to enjoy spiritual fellowship with a holy God. If our hands are now unclean, let us wash them in Jesu's precious blood, and so let us pray unto God, lifting up pure hands. But "clean hands" would not suffice, unless they were connected with a pure heart. True religion is heart work. We may wash the outside of the cup and the platter as long as we please; but if the inward parts be filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our hands are. We may lose our hands and yet live, but we could not lose our heart and still live; the very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within. There must be a work of grace in the core of the heart as well as in the palm of the hand, or our religion is a delusion. May God grant that our inward powers may be cleansed by the sanctifying Spirit (1Pe 1:2+), so that we may love holiness (cp Ro 12:9+) and abhor all sin (1Th 5:21+). The pure in heart shall see God (Mt 5:8+), all others are but blind bats; stone blindness in the eyes arises from stone in the heart. Dirt in the heart throws dust in the eyes. Kardia represents the inner man, the seat of motives and attitudes, the center of personality (including emotions, feelings) and also includes the thinking process. For example, Jesus asked a group of scribes, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?” (Mt 9:4+). The heart is the control center of mind and will as well as emotion. The Scottish writer John Eadie says that "The “heart” belongs to the “inner man,” is the organ of perception as well as of emotion; the centre of spiritual as it is physically of animal life. Vine writes that kardia "came to denote man’s entire mental and moral activities, and to stand figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life, and so here signifies the seat of thought and feeling. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson )
Tiago 4:8
Spurgeon warns us that "if you are double-minded, your hands and your hearts must both need to be cleansed. The apostle does not say, "Concentrate your thoughts," but he does say, "Cleanse your hearts;" for, to have two objects in life, is a kind of spiritual adultery, from which we need to be purged, so the command is, "Purify your hearts, ye double-minded." Ralph Martin observes that double-minded "is of special importance in this letter. Dipsuchoi (“double-minded”) characterizes those obviously in need of this type of repentance. James had used the term to depict the one who was unstable, who doubted God (Jas 1:8+). But in our present context the idea is expanded and made more specific, involving the double-nature (or two-world) syndrome (Sir 2:12: “woe to … the sinner who leads a double life,” neb). The reader who is double-minded seeks to be friendly with the world and with God (Jas 4:4+). But such double allegiance is impossible. To befriend the world (i.e., resort to worldly methods to bring in the kingdom) is to oppose God and his way. This is reflected in the inconsistent behavior in the Jacobean church (Jas 3:9, 10, 11, 12+). (Martin, R. P. Vol. 48: Word Biblical Commentary : James. Dallas: Word, Incorporated) Richison writes that "A double-souled person has a problem with integrity, unity and harmony of soul because he wants to have a soul devoted to God and a soul devoted to the devil at the same time. (James 4:8 James 4:8b James 4:8c) Barton writes that dipsuchos in this verse "refers to someone who is trying to maintain a friendship with both God and the world. Purity of heart, then, implies single-mindedness. (Barton, B. B., et al. Life Application Bible Commentary. Romans: Tyndale House Publishers) Double minded literally means "Two souled" as if two distinct souls were effecting this man's attitudes and actions! One of the souls is oriented as it were toward God and trusts in God, while the other is oriented toward the natural world and disbelieves God. As one writer has put it James is describing a man who is "a walking civil war in which trust and distrust of God wage a continual battle against each other." John Bunyan in Pilgrims Progress (The Seventh Stage) gives a similar picture in his description of "Mr. Facing-both-ways"!
Tiago 4:9
Spurgeon adds that… If the previous verses have rightly accused you of sin, confess your guilt with shame and sorrow, and so come to Christ imploring pardon. The Amplified Version renders it… [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) John Stott writes… I fear that we evangelical Christians, by making much of grace, sometimes thereby make light of sin. There is not enough sorrow for sin among us (2Co 7:10). We should experience more ‘godly grief’ of Christian penitence (Stott, J. The Message of the Sermon on the Mount: Inter-varsity Press) The psalmist speaks of the positive effect of affliction in the context of sin… Psalm 119:67-note Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy word. Psalm 119:71-note It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Thy statutes.
Tiago 4:10
Spurgeon warns that "If you exalt yourself, He will pull you down. If you lie down in the dust before Him, He will lift you up. It is according to God's usual way of acting to practice these reversals. Mary truly sang, "He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away." (Lk 1:52KJV+) Humble (5013) (tapeinoo from tapeinos = low, not high, figuratively of one's attitude/social position) literally means to level, to cause something to be lower or to make low (eg, to level off a mountain in Lk 3:5 from Lxx of Is 40:4). Tapeinoo means to bow down, to make low, to humble. Most NT uses of tapeinoo are figurative and include the following meanings: To cause someone to lose prestige, to reduce to a meaner condition or lower rank, to abase. To be ranked below others. Tapeinoo is in the aorist imperative which is like an order from a commanding general which calls for full attention and immediate obedience. It calls their being willing to accept this attitude. James commands his readers to submit voluntarily that they might be made low. The verb is passive voice which indicates that the subject acting upon the individual is an outside force, in this case God. The idea then is not be humbled but allow yourself to be humbled or placed in a lower position. Permit yourselves to be humbled. This work of God in humbling us is a work of His grace -- the "gravity of grace" always flows from higher to lower. You may be asking but how can I humble myself? My flesh fights with humility and to the contrary seeks to be recognized (continually)! You are on the right track beloved! You cannot humble yourself! The flesh is not able to humble the flesh! But you do have the Spirit of Christ indwelling your body and He is able to energize within your "new man" a desire to humble yourself and along with the desire, He provides the supernatural power enabling you to obey the command. You still have to make the personal decision to allow yourself to be humbled (i.e., it's not just "Let go and let God." but "Let God and let's go!"), but now you can do so with a supernaturally enabled desire and power. See Phil 2:13NLT-note for more on this very important spiritual dynamic. In fact I would go so far as to say for those who are already followers of Christ, Phil 2:13-note is one of the most important verses in the Bible to understand and to practice in concert with the preceding passage, Php 2:12-note "Work out your salvation." See discussion of the Need for the Holy Spirit to obey NT commands Hiebert adds that "The aorist passive may be understood in the sense of the middle "humble yourselves," but it could mean "allow yourselves to be humbled." It is not to be a forced humiliation, but a voluntary self-abasement. Archibald Alexander once said that "Humility is to the Christian what ballast is to the ship; it keeps him in his proper position and regulates all his thoughts and feelings."