Post by Shepherd on Nov 13, 2008 9:05:59 GMT -6
63 SINFUL CONFIDENCE REGARDING THE FUTURE.
JAMES 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.
I. THE SPIRIT WHICH IS HERE CONDEMNED.
The confident expectation of prolonged existence...here was a purpose formed in which there was no recognition whatever of the uncertainty of life or of dependence on God in which the future was calculated on with an hesitating confidence. Thus do multitudes presume on the permanence of that which the next moment may be gone like the vapor which the morning sun dissipates or the passing breeze sweeps away without leaving a trace of it behind.
The confident expectation of worldly success...There is no mention of anything but trade and consequent profit. There is not a word of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, of working out their own salvation, of laying up treasures in heaven. All here is material, secular, temporal. That is what the world is looking for.
II. THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THIS SPIRIT IS CONDEMNED.
The notorious uncertainty of human life. While we can review the past, we cannot foresee the future. By sudden stroke of fortune the poor man may be raised to affluence, or buy one of a contrary kind the rich man may be reduced to beggary.
Before we are aware friends may be alienated, plans defeated, prospects blighted.
Dangers may gather round us, disgrace may settle down on us, and a bright day of prosperity be turned into a dark dismal night or adversity. The dearest objects may be snatched away, and we may be left solitary and alone, our former joy gone, and a bitter sorrow come in its place. Especially is this the case with that life on the retaining of which all our earthly possessions and enjoyments depend.
The dependence on the Divine will which befits the creature. We are not forbidden to look forward to the future, and provide for our prospective wants personal and domestic. Within certain limits this is right, necessary. As little are we forbidden to be diligent in business and to expect profit as result. Why, this matter is of express and urgent requirement. But we are to do all recognizing the Divine will, cherishing a sense of dependence on God for life and health, for ability to work and success in working.
The sinfulness of all such proud confidence as they had been exhibiting–BUT NOW YE REJOICE IN YOUR BOASTING; ALL SUCH REJOICING IS EVIL.
They were jubilant where they had reason to be afraid. By their BOASTING we are to understand the manifold workings of that self-sufficient and vain glorious spirit by which they were animated. They presumptuously calculated on life, health, and prosperity. They entertained high expectations and bright prospects, and by these they were elated. Hence they expressed themselves in language of the kind which James is here condemning. Having thus remonstrated (plead in protest) with them regarding the spirit which come out in the language he represents them as using, He concludes with the general inference in Verse 17...THEREFORE, TO HIM THAT KNOWETH TO DO GOOD, AND DOETH IT NOT, TO HIM IT IS SIN. The case in hand fell under this principle; it was one of he exemplification of the maxim. When people are fully aware of their duty, and yet fail to do it, either by positive transgression or by commission or neglect, they are chargeable with sin which, in these circumstances, becomes peculiarly heinous. Ignorance does not excuse disobedience, but knowledge greatly aggravates its guilt.
JAMES 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.
I. THE SPIRIT WHICH IS HERE CONDEMNED.
The confident expectation of prolonged existence...here was a purpose formed in which there was no recognition whatever of the uncertainty of life or of dependence on God in which the future was calculated on with an hesitating confidence. Thus do multitudes presume on the permanence of that which the next moment may be gone like the vapor which the morning sun dissipates or the passing breeze sweeps away without leaving a trace of it behind.
The confident expectation of worldly success...There is no mention of anything but trade and consequent profit. There is not a word of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, of working out their own salvation, of laying up treasures in heaven. All here is material, secular, temporal. That is what the world is looking for.
II. THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THIS SPIRIT IS CONDEMNED.
The notorious uncertainty of human life. While we can review the past, we cannot foresee the future. By sudden stroke of fortune the poor man may be raised to affluence, or buy one of a contrary kind the rich man may be reduced to beggary.
Before we are aware friends may be alienated, plans defeated, prospects blighted.
Dangers may gather round us, disgrace may settle down on us, and a bright day of prosperity be turned into a dark dismal night or adversity. The dearest objects may be snatched away, and we may be left solitary and alone, our former joy gone, and a bitter sorrow come in its place. Especially is this the case with that life on the retaining of which all our earthly possessions and enjoyments depend.
The dependence on the Divine will which befits the creature. We are not forbidden to look forward to the future, and provide for our prospective wants personal and domestic. Within certain limits this is right, necessary. As little are we forbidden to be diligent in business and to expect profit as result. Why, this matter is of express and urgent requirement. But we are to do all recognizing the Divine will, cherishing a sense of dependence on God for life and health, for ability to work and success in working.
The sinfulness of all such proud confidence as they had been exhibiting–BUT NOW YE REJOICE IN YOUR BOASTING; ALL SUCH REJOICING IS EVIL.
They were jubilant where they had reason to be afraid. By their BOASTING we are to understand the manifold workings of that self-sufficient and vain glorious spirit by which they were animated. They presumptuously calculated on life, health, and prosperity. They entertained high expectations and bright prospects, and by these they were elated. Hence they expressed themselves in language of the kind which James is here condemning. Having thus remonstrated (plead in protest) with them regarding the spirit which come out in the language he represents them as using, He concludes with the general inference in Verse 17...THEREFORE, TO HIM THAT KNOWETH TO DO GOOD, AND DOETH IT NOT, TO HIM IT IS SIN. The case in hand fell under this principle; it was one of he exemplification of the maxim. When people are fully aware of their duty, and yet fail to do it, either by positive transgression or by commission or neglect, they are chargeable with sin which, in these circumstances, becomes peculiarly heinous. Ignorance does not excuse disobedience, but knowledge greatly aggravates its guilt.
