Making Plans (20 of 24)
Series: How To Do Life
Jerry Watts
James 4:13-17
Turn to James 4 and pay attention to how James begins this section. In our version (HCSB) as in most translations, this section begins with, ''Come Now.'' Have you ever used this phrase when talking to someone? Sure you have. What exactly does it mean? Come on now.
A couple of translations say, ''Now Listen.'' Can you see or sense the similarity between these phrases and how they are used?
I submit that this phrase is used to appeal to what a person knows to be right, we appeal to their knowledge of right. So before we read the rest of the text, let's give this context.
He began in Chapter 4 by talking about the ''SOURCE'' of wars and fights, and then identifies the problem as sin and selfishness. We are next told that God is capable of given mega grace but the He only gives it to the HUMBLE. Then he clarifies what it means to be humble. Immediately he boldly says, don't criticize one another because it is breaks God's law and grieves His heart.
Now he raises the stakes or the level of his rebuke as he says, ''Come Now,'' James is attempting to appeal to the heart and soul of the believers who read this. He'll do it again in 5:1 because James seems to believe that the redeemed have the same heart as he does and as does the Lord. This reminds me of the call to ''Come now, let us reason together.'' In that vein James says, ''Come now, truly consider one sin that you commit regularly (maybe without thinking) and do something about it.'' Obviously, this is in the area of making plans for our lives. (READ)
Is it not true that many, if not most, of us tend to make plans without ever praying about it or consulting God? Vacations, trips, and other things, just don't seem to be something we discuss with God. We may 'inform Him' or ask for His protection or blessing, but do we truly ask Him about our plans? Let's make this message simple (like James), but it may not be painless. ...
Series: How To Do Life
Jerry Watts
James 4:13-17
Turn to James 4 and pay attention to how James begins this section. In our version (HCSB) as in most translations, this section begins with, ''Come Now.'' Have you ever used this phrase when talking to someone? Sure you have. What exactly does it mean? Come on now.
A couple of translations say, ''Now Listen.'' Can you see or sense the similarity between these phrases and how they are used?
I submit that this phrase is used to appeal to what a person knows to be right, we appeal to their knowledge of right. So before we read the rest of the text, let's give this context.
He began in Chapter 4 by talking about the ''SOURCE'' of wars and fights, and then identifies the problem as sin and selfishness. We are next told that God is capable of given mega grace but the He only gives it to the HUMBLE. Then he clarifies what it means to be humble. Immediately he boldly says, don't criticize one another because it is breaks God's law and grieves His heart.
Now he raises the stakes or the level of his rebuke as he says, ''Come Now,'' James is attempting to appeal to the heart and soul of the believers who read this. He'll do it again in 5:1 because James seems to believe that the redeemed have the same heart as he does and as does the Lord. This reminds me of the call to ''Come now, let us reason together.'' In that vein James says, ''Come now, truly consider one sin that you commit regularly (maybe without thinking) and do something about it.'' Obviously, this is in the area of making plans for our lives. (READ)
Is it not true that many, if not most, of us tend to make plans without ever praying about it or consulting God? Vacations, trips, and other things, just don't seem to be something we discuss with God. We may 'inform Him' or ask for His protection or blessing, but do we truly ask Him about our plans? Let's make this message simple (like James), but it may not be painless. ...
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