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“For What Is Your Life?” – James 4:14
by Micky Galloway
This is a question frequently asked. Eight days ago there was a tragic accident in which a young neighbor was killed. He was by the world’s standard a good young man with a good job and great prospects. He was 21 years old, engaged to be married, planning his future and his life. In an unexpected instant of time while surveying for a new housing tract, he was run over by a cement truck. His life was over. All the plans he had made and those of his loved ones were tragically and forevermore changed. This illustrates how the concerns of this life could come to an abrupt halt. In tears this young man’s mother and father ask, “Why did this have to happen?” His young fiancé sits dazed, all the hopes, plans and dreams ended. I have been asked to speak at the memorial service. What can be learned from these tragic events?
Life is a gift from God. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). Since God has given us life is it unreasonable to think that we are responsible to God for the way we live it? The wisdom writer said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). God desires that we use our lives to magnify and glorify our creator. Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do (men) light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house” (Matthew 5:16). Life is precious, let us use it for something more than to glorify that which will pass away.
Life is a time for preparation. We are to live our lives in preparation to meet God. “And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment …” (Hebrews 9:27). In O.T. times Israel was commanded: “Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel” (Amos 4:12). Life must be lived in a constant state of preparation. Yes, there is a great day coming. Must one be notified before beginning to make preparation? The time to prepare is now. The scriptures teach, “At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2). Some in the first century thought they had an indefinite period of time to prepare. However, the apostle Peter reminded them that time did not change the promise of God. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief …” (II Peter 3:9-10). There will be no advance notice. Will you be ready for that great day? Only through Jesus Christ can we prepare to meet God (John 14:6).
Life is a time for building. Every responsible individual is building on either the solid rock or on the sinking sand (cf Matthew 7:24-27). This challenges us all to examine our foundation. Man cannot build a strong life on a weak foundation. If all you teach and practice comes from God's word then your are building on the right foundation. It is essential that “every man take heed how he buildeth” (cf I Corinthians 3:10).
Life is a time for war. No, ours is not a political campaign. We do not fight with swords and spears, guns and bombs, but there is no place in our lives for neutrality. Satan is a formidable foe described as a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Jesus warned, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other, ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24; cf Matthew 12:30). In an environment where compromise is so prevalent, it is time we shouted with Moses, “Who is on the Lord's side?” Who will respond as the prophet of old, “Master, here am I?” Among the greatest threats to God's people today are a lack of conviction, a lack of militancy and a failure to recognize anything as wrong and anyone as the enemy. We put on the cloak of compromise and pretend that there is little or no distinction between truth and error. This is to our shame.
Life is a time for choices. Our most important choice is whether or not we will serve God. Paul asked the saints in Rome, “Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or obedience unto righteousness” (Romans 6:16). Joshua called upon the children of Israel, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve … but as for me and my house we will serve Jehovah” (Joshua 24:15). Elijah called upon the people of Israel, “How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word” (I Kings 18:21). Some choices are hard, but we must use Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” to guide us in every choice we make in this life, for after this life we will choose no more.
Finally, life is a vapor. “For what is your life? For ye are a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). “So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:12). The clock of life is only wound once. We do not know when the hands will be still. Whether death comes at the hands of an oppressor, by tragic accident or by natural causes at a ripe old age, death will come for “it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this (cometh) judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The only exception is if the Lord comes first.
Let us live, love and toil with a will for one day this life will end and we will stand before the Creator and give an account of how we have lived. This is the purpose of life!
“What Is The Source Of Quarrels And Conflicts Among You?” – James 4:1
by Chris Simmons
God’s word is clear regarding the relationship that brethren are to have with one another. Paul wrote in Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” We read in Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Yet despite these clear and simple instructions, conflicts and problems arise among brethren. In James chapter four, James simply asks, Where do they come from? In the context of this chapter, James identifies many of the sources of such problems that we need to avoid.
First, James identifies that selfishness is at the root of most every problem between brethren. “Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel” (James 4:1-2). When we are first concerned with personal pleasure and the satisfaction of our fleshly lusts, we not only sin, but we cause conflicts and quarrels among brethren.
Second, problems will exist among brethren who themselves do not pray as they should. “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:2-3). When we fail to take our requests before God and ask in faith and trust God that He will answer with what is best, problems will occur. When we pray that our will be done rather than God’s will be done (cf Matthew 6:10; 26:42), we can be assured that sin has taken root and problems among brethren will soon follow.
Third, problems will occur when our devotion and affections are for the things of this world and not for the Lord, His church and the members of His body. “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” When brethren are more concerned about their possessions, their jobs, their hobbies and their personal pursuits than they are about their relationship with God and with one another, you have a situation where there isn’t any devotion or commitment among brethren and the least little conflict can break up the unity that we are to maintain (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Fourth, pride can be a source of conflicts among brethren. “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). The presence of pride often manifests itself in the inability to apologize and the inability to forgive. The Bible clearly defines what is to take place when one brother sins against or causes offense to another (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15-17). But when pride gets in the way, sin will go unrepented and brethren will not enjoy the fellowship we are commanded to continue in (cf Acts 2:42; I John 1:3).
Fifth, problems will arise when we fail to soberly resist the temptations that Satan brings against us. “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). We are in grave spiritual danger when we fail to give the proper respect to our adversary who seeks to “devour” us (I Peter 5:8). Problems among brethren can be prevented if we learn to flee from situations of temptation (I Corinthians 6:18; 10:14; I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:22) rather than get as close as we can to that which is sinful.
Finally, quarrels and conflicts will not be avoided until every member is committed to making things right between themselves and God. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:8-10). If fellowship is to be had among brethren, fellowship must first of all be maintained between each Christian and God. Unless we are willing to “cleanse our hands,” “purify our hearts” and show true biblical repentance for our sins (cf II Corinthians 7:9-11) then our relationships among one another can not be what they should be.
Quarrels and conflicts among brethren will be avoided when we are self-less rather than selfish, pray as we should, set our affections on the things above, exhibit humility in our lives, overcome temptations, and make things right before God.