James 4:11-5:6

Key Theme: Whether we are judging others, planning our year, or storing up wealth we have the potential to believe we are in charge and in total control.

4:11-12 - Judging and speaking evil against other believers puts me in the "God seat."  I put myself in the place of a judge, rather than letting God, who is the law giver.  Judging and criticism also suggests that I don't have to follow the law (especially when Jesus says to love our neighbor and I'm spending my time judging and slandering).  My words will let others know if I have a big view of God or a very small view of God.

4:13-17 - This is such a simple passage, but it reveals so much about our hearts and attitudes.  With something as simple as a business trip planned - we can forget how NOT in control we are.  This business man was self-assertive, self-confident, and self-centered (all about that money!).  The one thing he forgot?  His life is vapor.  He isn't really in control.  Our plans are always tentative.  Time is not ours.  Our lives are not our own.  It's the height of human pride to suggest that OUR PLANS will go according to OUR PLANS.  INSTEAD, we should, with open hands, allow God to direct.  We can still make our plans - with open hands.  The real danger here is boasting and leaving God out of our plans for living.  The way we battle against personal boasting is belief.  Faith that God is God.  Not by using magic words - but a posture of heart and attitude.

5:1-6 - a simple warning against personal boasting in wealth (and a warning in how this person built their wealth).

Through this passage we are forced to consider the Christian WAY OF LIVING.  Our way of life is not boasts of our control and ability to bring about our plans - but we are continually learning to let God take His rightful place in our lives - whether it's letting Him be judge (humility is the result), whether it's in our planning for the future (open hands and allowing God to direct), or in our money... the Christian recognizes that we are not our own.

James uses the phrase in verse 17 - "Remember, it's a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."  Christian's are no longer able to "plead ignorance" as the Scriptures CONTINUALLY exort us to "do the good we know."  The amazing result of "DOING" the good we know - is growth, maturity, and as Jesus said, "wisdom and a solid foundation. (Matthew 7:24-27)"  While we fail at these things, and Christ never did, because of our belief (not boasting) our efforts have changed.  We are the NEW people of God.