Let Others See Jesus in You- James 4:1–17 (Part 6

4:13–17

God-centered living is humble living

God-centered living involves planning for the future.

Thinking in terms of the bigger picture, we plan for major periods of life or events.

According to one poll conducted by ABC News, 72% of Americans say they are planning for their futures (primarily thinking of retirement, tuition for kids, and emergency situations), but only around 50% have conducted any action in that preparation. (https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=86992&page=1)

We make plans for vacations and trips, for seasons (like Christmas), and even for church activities (I have my sermon plans for at almost two years). We talk about retirement, or life with grandkids or, great-grandkids.

On a smaller scale, we make plans for everyday life. Surveys and polls revealed that Americans spend a good deal of time planning for a variety of events in their lives.

One study I read said that Americans spend an average of 50 minutes a day planning for the next day (including clothes and meals).

We make plans for work projects, housing renovations, and even gardens. We plan out the services that we hold every Sunday.

As we will see this morning, there is nothing wrong with making plans. In fact, I will demonstrate from Scripture that making plans is in fact part of God-centered living.

In other words, a failure to plan is sin; it is not God-centered living.

James is not condemning planning for the future, he is warning against presumptuous planning. That is, James is warning against people planning for the future without any thought of God.

What James will teach us this morning is that…

God-centered living is humble living

because we realize God sovereignly guides our lives

Let me unpack this thesis before we see it displayed in the Scriptures. God-centered living, living that is centered on and for God, is humble. It other words, it acknowledges

a superior being—God

a superior purpose—His plans, and

a superior manner of life—biblical living.

It is humble living because we know that God sovereignly guides our lives—everything.

Consider our present epistle. God brought James into the same family from whom the Messiah would come.

In addition, James acknowledges that God brings life-shaping trials into our lives for His glory and our good (1:2–18).

James understands that each person is brought to their economic or social position by God (1:9–11; 2:1–7). When we get to James chapter 5, we will see that James follows the path laid by Jesus in pointing us to creation to observe the Father’s care for His children (5:7–8).

I. God-centered Living Humbly Plans for the Future- Select Scriptures; James 4:15, 17; Proverbs 27:1

The first principle we need to know from many passages of Scripture is that God-centered living humbly plans for the future. There are some who, upon reading this portion of James, assume that all planning is bad.

They reason, “Don’t boast about tomorrow” means don’t plan! Let God’s will be done and just be ready for it.

But this is simply not true, nor it is consistent with the God we serve.

For example, in looking at the Scriptures, God has a definite plan for creation—the redemption of His people, the judgment of sin, and His name to be glorified by His redeemed people for the rest of eternity! We call this the plan of redemption.

The Scriptures literally and typologically unveil this plan that God made in eternity past (cf. Eph. 1:3–14).

As His followers and children, how do we humbly plan for the future? Here are some biblical principles that can guide us.

A. God-centered living makes plans with God’s goals in mind- 1 Cor. 10:31; Prov. 3:5–6; 16:9

If our present and future planning does not consider God’s Word and His goals for us, that is not humble, God-centered living. It is selfish. Let’s consider a modern example.

There are many who work hard for years in order to retire. They then spend their retirement eating, drinking, and being merry. They focus solely on their own wants without considering their privileges and responsibilities to God and His Church.

When making our plans, be they in the near or distant future, we must consider God’s goals in mind.

B. God-centered living makes plans wisely- Prov. 15:22; 16:9; 21:5; James 4:15, 17

As we plan for the future with God’s goals in minds, they often overlap with the gifts and callings He has placed on our individual lives. My plans do not look like your plans, because I am me and you are you.

The common denominators, however, should be glorifying God and wise planning. Let us consider the principles from each proverb and then connect it with James’ teaching.

Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Getting advice is one of the easiest (and yet also difficult) ways to plan. Find people who are successful at what you want to accomplish and get their advice. They may see things that you did or can not see.

Or consider Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Solomon knows that planning is futile unless the Lord is behind the individual planning. Wise planning, then, not only aims at God’s glory, but also plans according to His Word. Our plans do not include overt sin, nor should they use covert means to bring about their accomplishments. They should be wise, i.e., biblical.

Proverbs 21:5 “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

In this proverb we see the advantageous wisdom of planning. Action without thought is not only futile, it is often harmful.

For example, a man who is in his 40s may be playing around with his teenage boys and decides he is going to play them in a pick-up game of basketball. He does not plan diligently, and quickly the youth and athleticism of his boys brings him to poverty, not to mention the abundance of pain in his knees, back, shoulders, etc.

James 4:15 “Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.””

Planning wisely aims at the goal of God’s glory and works within His wisdom revealed in Scripture and His people.

The exception is when we plan without giving any consideration to God, His goals, or His wisdom in the Word.

II. God-centered Living Humbly Avoids Presumption- James 4:13–17 Luke 12:13–21

God-centered living, which humbly plans for the future, also humbly avoids presumption.

In other words, a God-centered life considers that God is in control and can change his or her plans at any time.

We make plans for retirement, and work hard to save money and prepare for the future. However, God allows the collapse of the economy, and we no longer have the option to retire from work.

Or, consider something less serious to the adult but equally as disappointing to the kids, let’s say you want to take your kids on a fun family day to the lake. You have the van packed, all your snacks and food ready to go. However, when you wake up, an unexpected (and unpredicted) storm rages.

We avoid presumption by realizing we are not in control, God is. To make plans without considering God’s sovereign is arrogant and it is evil.

James gives us specifics of why it is evil. It presumes success and it presumes life.

A. Presumption of Success- 4:13

These people who make their business plans probably have good plans that, humanly speaking, will bring great financial reward.

They presumed they would be successful. And so many people make plans with the presumption of success.

People begin a new career in a new city, leaving friends and family behind, only to find they hate their jobs.

Others begin construction projects or home renovations, thinking they had the financial resources to complete their goals.

Others may embark on a new fitness journey believing with all their hearts that they would finish that 5k or lift that weight.

Arrogant living is presumptuous with regards to success. But it is also presumptuous with regards to life.

B. Presumption of Life- 4:14, 16

James say, “You do not know what tomorrow will bring.” If we struggle to remember where we put our keys five minutes ago, or what day of the week it is, how in the world can we possibly know what tomorrow will bring?

We should humbly acknowledge that we do not know, and plan according to God’s will.

“What is your life?” James asks. It is a vapor, it vanishes away in an instant. We have no idea when the Lord will bring death to us. To plan without thought to God or His Word is a presumption of life.

It is an arrogant declaration that we do not need God, our lives are ours.

Imagine the audacity of someone, a human being who can be destroyed by an unseen bacteria, claiming rights over their physical life.

God-centered living is humble living because we realize God sovereignly guides our lives

“Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

Salvation