Page 50 - book_james

life from God’s viewpoint, we will be much more sensitive to His will in every decision we
face.

B. An Admonition for the Proper Attitude

Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we will live (continue), and do this, or that.

Our attitude should be to hear from the Lord first before we blindly pursue our own plans.
We should pray before any decision and be led by the Lord, because He can use our
business for His eternal plans instead of our temporal ones. “If it is the will of the Lord, we
will both continue and do this or that.”

C. The Evil Result of Self‐Sufficiency

Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Arrogance again, had come into the minds of the businessmen, and their rejoicing over
their achievements is evil in the sight of God.

Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

These men had attended the local church for many years and know what is right and wrong
but are not practicing it. This makes it a sin. Their attitude is not only alienating them from
the Lord but also from unbelievers they meet each day.

The disciples in John 4 also have their minds on the business of the day instead of these
souls, which needed to be saved in Samaria. Jesus warned them to “lift up your eyes and
look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35).

Chapter Summary

James’s focus is on the worldliness he sees creeping into his congregation. He strongly
warns his people against being used as instruments of division through pride and judgment
toward one another. He then exhorts them to have a humble heart before God and to draw
near to Him. Finally, he reproves his people, especially the businessmen of his
congregation, not to depend upon their own judgment and ability because any ability they
have has been given to them by God. Their natural lives on earth are so brief compared to
the everlasting life they will have throughout eternity.