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The Greek says, “Only one is the lawgiver and judge.” This phrase tells of the uniqueness of
the Lord Jesus as the giver and executor over the law. The law is a demonstration of the
sovereignty of God. He gives the law, executes it, and He alone has the power to bestow
life and death. This puts man in a vulnerable position when he tries to play God. By judging
another believer, he does just that. James asks a solemn question, “Who are you to judge
another believer?”
3. A Rebuke Against Self‐Sufficiency (13‐17)

James begins the chapter by addressing businessmen who are making their own plans
based upon the economy rather than being led by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. He
wants his congregation to understand that their lives on this earth are but a “vapor.” James
exhorts this segment of his congregation to turn from their dependency upon themselves
back to dependency upon God.

A. The Attitude of Self‐Sufficiency

Jas 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and
continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

Go to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there
a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

James now turns his attention to another segment of the congregation who has become
worldly in their thinking: businessmen. The same double‐mindedness and double standards
have crept into the thinking of those of the congregation who make their living by buying
and selling. Their dependence has come to rest on the economy of the nation instead of
the Lord. They buy and sell based on economic forecast instead of the Holy Spirit and the
values of the Word of God. They have also reached a point where they feel immune to the
situations of the world and have become judges of the law. They approach a day or even a
year of business with their own plans intact and never ask God in prayer what should be
done.

Yet God is as interested in their businesses as He is in the church. Through the business
conducted by these men, the finances come in to maintain the work of the church, which
is the saving of souls and healing of lives. James wants them to know that tomorrow is not
a guarantee but a privilege. Their lives will be very short, and all of their business dealings
will come to an abrupt end. James is not condemning business practices (1:16‐18) but the
wrong motive of independence and arrogance behind them. The total disregard of God’s
will is wrong no matter in what area of life we find ourselves.

Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is
even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
The uncertainty of tomorrow is emphasized in this verse (Psalm 27:1; Matthew 6:34). Our
present life is a vapor compared to the passing of time. A puff of steam is here only
momentarily and then gone forever. Our life is the same. We may live here eighty or one
hundred years, but it is still a short time in comparison to eternity. When we understand