James
4:13-16
“Now listen, you who say, "Today or
tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business
and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will
live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such
boasting is evil.”
Gifts comes in different
sizes and so their values and worth. Our life is a gift from God, a very
special gift. The idea of how to make a gain, where to go how to execute a plan
can never see the light of day without this gift. How should we receive it?
What should be our disposition to this gift? And what are the implications of
this gift of life? Let us look at the passage above from the book of James.
A Little Background To
The Book Of James
James, the author of the
book of James is truly a humble man, he was the brother of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ, he was the first leader of the church in Jerusalem, he was an
apostle, and an elder. He humbly introduced himself as ‘a servant of God and of
the Lord Jesus Christ’. You will appreciate this when you look at the Greek
word translated servant in the text, the word translated is ‘doulos’ which is more often translated
‘slave’ but could also mean ‘servant’. This is the reason NLT, The Message, CJB
and some others translated the word ‘slave’. The author was contented to be
addressed as a slave of God and slave of Jesus Christ. To me, a true servant
rejoices in his positions for so many reasons. I would not want to be found
guilty of eisegesis so, I will remain with the text and say what it says and
apply. The book contains marks of true religion.
James in this book
challenges those who so much ‘trust’ in their planning as if they know what
will happen tomorrow and how it would happen. Sometimes ago, at a Hospital in
Fugar, Edo State in Nigeria, I saw the body of one our brethren being taking to
the mortuary for embalmment and such a sight had constantly reminded me of how
unpredictable the next moment could be for anyone, just few minutes ago, he was
alive, full of life and a road accident just snuffed life out of him. Some of
you who are reading this would remember the brother and that accident in
2002/2003.
Several cases like that
have happened, people die unexpectedly through accidents, war, natural disaster
and such likes. Some are struck down with some diseases and illness. None can
boast about what would happen even in the next few moment. As we have trusted
the Lord who is faithful to keep us, we should continue to trust Him, He never
sleeps He never slumber and ‘He is never tired of hearing our prayer’. To
therefore boast ‘I will do this or that’, ‘go to so and so places, without
adequate recognition of the Sovereign will of God is evil. (vs. 16)
The Gift of Life
James tells us “You are a mist that appears for a little
while and then vanishes”. Each of us must have a correct evaluation of
life, this would eliminate pride, generate appreciation to the Giver of this
gift called life, and infuses in us a sobering and diligent preparation for our
home beyond the sky knowing full well that our flight can come up any moment.
Scripture has told us in
Hebrew 11: 13 that ‘we have no continuing
city here’ and that ‘no one has the power
to keep their spirit from leaving or stop their death’ (Ecc. 8:8 ERV). It is
either we meet Him in the sky or He calls us out of the grave at His coming. It
is certain we are leaving this side of eternity someday and no one knows how
soon. This is my thought on how to receive the gift of life.
Gift should be received
with appreciation.
David, the sweet
Psalmist of Israel wrote: “It is good… to
proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night” (Ps. 92:
1-2). It is indeed a good thing to be grateful to God. “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his
compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
(Lam. 3: 22-23). If you have survived an accident and perhaps you were terribly
wounded, remember those who died in the accident. If you are coping with a kind
of sickness, remember those who had died suddenly who were healthy. Perhaps you
are poor think about those who were rich and had died. God is good to everyone,
no matter what. That you have waited for your marriage for years and it is yet
to come or that you that you have waited on God for a child that you are yet to
have cannot disprove God’s faithfulness. He goes through your pains with you
(Isai. 43: 2) What pleases the Lord most is a life lived for Him in
appreciation of His goodness.
Gifts should be treasured.
Do you treasure this
gift of life giving to you? Do you harm this body which is the ‘container’ of
your spirit? Do you cherish this life? Some through their carelessness cut
short their life. Some would even chose to die for a worthless cause. Some kill
others in the name of abortion – taking a life that you cannot create! Some commit
suicide. Some in disregard for the Giver of life inflicted abominable marks on
themselves called ‘tattoo’. God’s gift should be treasured and must be treated
and used only in ways pleasing to Him alone.
Due acknowledgement is
required.
To pretend as if one is
responsible for his own life is hypocrisy. Our intellects and abilities have a
subtle way of engaging our planning without due acknowledgement of our God. We
must constantly say like David to ourselves ‘forget
not His benefits’ God expects that we acknowledge Him. In His word we read
“in all your ways, acknowledge Him”
(Pro. 3: 6). God deserves to be acknowledged. Let this be a deliberate act by
you. Let your word be seasoned with grace.
CONCLUSION
People had been planning
their life without God. Thinking that they had the best of plan but the most
important part of any plan is the God’s factor, without God in our plan, we are
not even sure of our own life. The rich fool in Luke 12: 16-20 is a biblical
example. He thought he could plan without God. All God did was to withdraw the
gift of life extended to him. You should never plan without God. Then
appreciate His gift of life to you, treasure it and acknowledge it. Here is a
story you will like to read, it is titled “Going Under”
Last November, Coast
Guard rescuers lowered their helicopter basket and pulled in a drowning family
of four.
A man was taking his
family from Norfolk, Virginia to Bermuda. Normally, it was a short and pleasant
excursion. But he failed to notice Tropical Storm Gordon descending upon his
path. They endured 19 hours of 20-foot waves and 50-mph winds. Their sailboat
was tossed like a toy. Many of those hours were spent in prayer for survival.
When it was over, did
they thank the one who answered their prayers? Surely they thanked the Coast
Guard, and most probably the medics who tended to them on shore. But what about
their Ultimate Rescuer? The Bible describes such a scene with: "He rescued
them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing
love" (Ps 107:20,21 NIV). Are you quick to thank God for the hundreds of
times He has rescued you? No matter what method or person became God's
instrument for your deliverance, God was the "Conclusive Liberator."
Thank Him, right now!
Remember: When you
forget to thank God, you "miss the boat."
(from
Heartwarming Bible Illustrations Copyright © 1998 by AMG International, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.) You are
blessed. Thank you for reading.
