LESSON #11

Everyone of us has be told to not do certain things. "Don't talk with your mouth full." "Don't drive fast." Don't forget to call me." Parents, siblings, friends, partners, teachers and bosses all tell us that there are some things we shouldn't do. The text for this study reveals that there are some things of which God says, "Don't do this!"

James has in mind the process of planning one's future. All of us have hopes and dreams and plans for the future. We are ambitious. When we are young, we plan for our career and for the life-style we hope to enjoy. Our plans involve education, employment, marriage, children, houses, cars - the list could go on and on. As we get older, we start planning for retirement. As we busily make our plans, God's word reminds us of some things we shouldn't do.

This section begins with an odd little phrase - "Go to now." It is found only twice in the entire Bible, James 4:13 and 5:1. It means something like, "Now, look here" and implies disapproval and correction. James illustrates the making of plans with merchants, the businessmen of his time. First, a plan has been constructed - "Ye that say, Today or tomorrow." A place has been chosen - "we will go into such a city." A period has been calculated - "and continue there a year." A purpose has been conceived - "buy and sell." A profit has been calculated - "get gain." The future has all been planned. But something is missing! There is no mention of God by this merchants. They have presumed upon God. They have forgotten about God and left Him out of their planning. It isn't wrong to make plans but it is wrong to plan the future and leave God out. These are "practical atheists." They may claim to believe in God but in practice they do not include God in their plans. They are too busy for God. Remember the rich farmer of Luke 12? He decided to tear down his old barns, build bigger barns and then retire. But he forgot about God. God said, "Thou fool!" He died suddenly that very night.

God blesses us and we prosper and in our prosperity we become proud and self-sufficient and we quickly forget that we need God. The Bible warns us not to forget God, see Deuteronomy 6:10-12; 8:11-14; Psalm 78:11,42. As you plan your future there are some things that you shouldn't do. The first is - Don't forget God!

Verse 14, reminds us of the uncertainties of life - "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow." Life is certainly uncertain! See Proverbs 27:1. This verse also speaks of the brevity of life - "For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." There are some 18 metaphors in the Bible which speak of the brevity of life. Life is compared to a shadow (I Chron. 25:15; Eccles. 8:13), a weaver's shuttle and hurrying messengers (Job), a cloud, a breath, a flower whose bloom quickly fades, grass and here, a vapour (fog). We are all dying people with no promise of another day. There is no time for needless delays and detours. No wonder the Bible tells us to be saved today. "Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:2). "Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your heart" (Hebrews 3:7-8). Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. The only cash you have is today.

"If the Lord will" should not just be words on our lips but the attitude of our heart, see also I Cor. 4:19, 16:7. Some, like Jonah, are afraid of God's will. The will of God is like the laws that govern nature; when we cooperate with them they help us; when we work against them they can destroy us. We need to know God's will (Acts 22:14), understand God's will (Eph. 5:17), prove God's will (Romans 12:2), and do God's will from the heart (Eph. 5:6). God's will is not an option which can be ignored; it is an obligation which should be followed!

Another symptom of the person whose plans leave God out is an attitude of pride. James speaks here of the person who not only boasts (brags) but glories (rejoices) in his boasting. Proverbs 3:7 reminds us to "Be not wise in our own eyes." Bragging is symptomatic of deeper spiritual problems - conceit, haughtiness, arrogance and pride (see James 4:6). It is evil to boast of your plans if they don't include God and His will.

Our common definition of sin is "doing that which is forbidden." James says that sin is also "failing to do what we know is right." There are sins of commission but there are also sins of omission. Sin is not just doing wicked things; it is failing to do good things. Generally, it isn't what I don't know that is my biggest problem; it's what I know is right but don't do that really hurts my spiritual life. Don't neglect doing the good that you know you should.

Don't forget about God ...

Don't count on tomorrow ...

Don't ignore God's will ...

Don't be proud ...

and Don't misunderstand sin.