The Perils of Presumption
Mike Stone
James 4:13-17
We are approaching the time of year when many people make ''New Year's Resolutions.'' Some preachers are critical of the concept but I'm not opposed to that idea. If God can use the changing of a calendar to remind us of the swift passing of time, so be it.
Having said that, the weakness of most New Year's resolutions is that they go in one year and out the other. Someone has said, ''Resolutions are like crying babies in church. They need to be carried out!'' So in the midst of making resolutions and commitments, we must avoid the PERILS OF PRESUMPTION.
James introduces us to a first century businessman...a real wheeler dealer. He has his entire life planned out but he obviously has not considered the will and plan of God.
From this negative example, we can learn three positively wonderful truths about a spiritually-safe life that avoids the pitfalls and perils of presumption.
1. The safe life is marked by humility (13-15)
Verse 6 here and 1 Peter 5:5 - God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. This literally means that God keeps the proud at arm's length but opens His arms to the humble.
Verse 10 - Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you. (Peter adds ''in due season.'')
This first century businessman didn't understand that because he failed to see three important things about the very nature of life.
A. Life is fleeting
Sometime back I was reaching a patriotic book to my little girl. It was a book about the history of the American flag. In childlike terms and pictures the book was celebrating ''Old Glory.'' As I turned one of the pages, my daughter took advantage of the pause. Looking up at me she said, ''Daddy, your forehead has stripes like Old Glory.''
I could say she was acting like her mother's side of the family but the truth is, she was just agreeing with Brother James. Here he is reminding us of the brevity of life.
I'm at ...
Mike Stone
James 4:13-17
We are approaching the time of year when many people make ''New Year's Resolutions.'' Some preachers are critical of the concept but I'm not opposed to that idea. If God can use the changing of a calendar to remind us of the swift passing of time, so be it.
Having said that, the weakness of most New Year's resolutions is that they go in one year and out the other. Someone has said, ''Resolutions are like crying babies in church. They need to be carried out!'' So in the midst of making resolutions and commitments, we must avoid the PERILS OF PRESUMPTION.
James introduces us to a first century businessman...a real wheeler dealer. He has his entire life planned out but he obviously has not considered the will and plan of God.
From this negative example, we can learn three positively wonderful truths about a spiritually-safe life that avoids the pitfalls and perils of presumption.
1. The safe life is marked by humility (13-15)
Verse 6 here and 1 Peter 5:5 - God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. This literally means that God keeps the proud at arm's length but opens His arms to the humble.
Verse 10 - Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you. (Peter adds ''in due season.'')
This first century businessman didn't understand that because he failed to see three important things about the very nature of life.
A. Life is fleeting
Sometime back I was reaching a patriotic book to my little girl. It was a book about the history of the American flag. In childlike terms and pictures the book was celebrating ''Old Glory.'' As I turned one of the pages, my daughter took advantage of the pause. Looking up at me she said, ''Daddy, your forehead has stripes like Old Glory.''
I could say she was acting like her mother's side of the family but the truth is, she was just agreeing with Brother James. Here he is reminding us of the brevity of life.
I'm at ...
There are 12327 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
