It's too easy for Christians to make plans and set goals, expecting God to fall in line behind them. It's also easy to plan our lives as if we controlled the future and had unlimited authority over the factors that affect our life. And so, in reality we do plan our lives as if God does not exist. Holding on to that thought, this week, I thought that I'd like to speak against the danger of self-centered planning.
Worldly living is not displayed only by a disbelief in God, sometimes it’s apparent in the disregarding of God as we plan our life and our daily activities. We so want things our way that we harshly criticize and strike out at any one or thing that seems to be standing in our way. This leads to a life of self-will instead of God’s will. But, life should be lived in seeking and submitting to God’s will.
Look at it this way, if we don’t humble ourselves and repent toward God, as is commanded in James 4:7-10, we grow in stubborn pride which is revealed in the denouncing of others. Correct? And, is not judging and criticizing others always easier than to judge oneself and repent? The unrepentant Christians James addressed, calling them brethren (James 4:11), spent far too much time criticizing others than critiquing themselves.
To speak against (evil to) one another reflects fault finding, harsh criticism and attacking behind backs that too often has characterized some Christian people. Slander is critical speech intended to inflame others against the person being criticized. For Christians to malign other believers is a living contradiction of the close family ties which should bind us together. Peter taught Christians that when the truth about a brother is harmful, one should cover it in love rather than repeat it in criticism (1 Peter 4:8).
James gave two compelling reasons to refrain from harshness toward other believers. First, to disparage a brother finds fault with God’s law. The royal law insists that believers love one another (James 2:8). To slander a brother is to attack the king of all laws which insists that we are to love our brother as we love ourselves. This person says they know more than God and places his judgment above the law, judging it instead of following it.
The second argument for refraining fault finding speech is given in verse 12. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor? Only God has the sovereign right to make His laws and carry out His judgments. He allows no human being to share this role.
A slanderous judging Christian attempts to supplant God’s place. God is the only one who knows the heart, perfectly understands the situation, and stands equipped to correctly decide. How can finite, sinful individuals attempt to play the role of God?
Dear friends, the point that I am try to make here is this: God wants us to avoid acts of disobedience to His Will. He also wants us to do His revealed Will (Matthew 25: 14-30). As Christians we must plan our lives in full commitment to the will and plans of God. We must not avoid such important practices as Bible reading, helping the needy, and sharing our faith. God wants His people to live with a conscious commitment to follow His will.
We are to seek and obey the Will of God in all our plans. Doing the Will of God demands an active listening and sensitivity to God’s Word for God’s goals and plans. We must plan for the future, but we must plan with a deliberate seeking of the Will of God. We do not ask God to submit His plans for our approval but we obey His will unconditionally.
James reminds us that life’s unpredictability is one reason not to put too much stock in our plans. Instead, he pointed to a course of action that follows God’s master plan, not business trends. James said we must submit our goals to God , value people more than money, and patiently wait for spiritual investments to be rewarded.
Remember this, It is wrong to presumptuously ignore God’s will by living as though God and His will do not exist. James 4:16 addresses those who, while acknowledging that God exists and has a will, nevertheless arrogantly reject God’s will. But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
Therefore, what are you planning to do today? Tomorrow? Where does God fit into your plans? What can you do that will have eternal impact? The best plans begin and end with God.
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 119:105; Romans 8:28; Luke 18:27; Colossians 3:16; Luke 13:24; Romans 3:10
Now, let's pray...
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen
Have a blessed week!
Bibi
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