If the Master Wills it

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” - James 4:13-15

I’ve been studying the book of James every since my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) group went on summer break. I’ve read James several times but have never studied it in depth. To guide me, I selected a study by Francis Chan that is freely available on RightNow Media, which is provided by my church.

My Thoughts Regarding James

The apostle James, the half brother of Jesus, has always struck me as a no nonsense personality. My practical application self appreciates that. However, he is also deliberate in his wisdom and chooses his words wisely, just as he recommends to us in the third chapter of James. I came to this conclusion when I reread Acts 15 where it describes the meeting between Paul and Barnabas with the apostles and elders concerning requirements for new Gentile converts. The Bible says that after much discussion the assembly became silent and then James spoke. He gave solid, clear direction to which the assembly agreed.

If you remember, the Lord’s half siblings (including James) did not at first accept Jesus as the Messiah. In chapter 7 of John’s gospel it says, “For not even his brothers believed in him.” And it seems that they never came to belief until after the crucifixion when they are mentioned in the first chapter of Acts where it says, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

I find it interesting that James is mentioned specifically by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 as being visited personally by the resurrected Lord. Was this what finally convinced James that his half brother is truly the Messiah? The Son of God? Can you imagine the emotion that consumed James upon seeing Jesus? I think both he and Peter needed a personal encounter with the Lord to free them from the guilt and shame of their betrayals, and to strengthen them for the tasks the Lord had prepared in advance for them to do. I would also include Paul in that group. A personal confrontation resulting in blindness tends to be transformational. Actually, all of the elect have experienced that life-changing encounter, though we have not seen him face to face. I am encouraged by a special blessing just for us … Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Back to the Study

So, why did I begin this post with that particular scripture from James? Because for me it is the second part of a convicting truth the Lord gave me from chapter one.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

How many times have I asked for wisdom? I may not have specifically said, “Lord give me wisdom” but I believe that every time I ask … “Should I do this? Should I do that?” I am asking for God’s wisdom. I think most of us can relate. “I need a burning bush encounter to be sure!” I can now clearly see how doublemindedness comes from immature faith. A doubting mind is never a peaceful mind either. Like James says, we are like a wave being tossed around. I do not appreciate being categorized as “unstable in all my ways”. Ha! So, I hitherto resolve to have more faith! If only it were that easy.

The Lord began showing me this before we ever sold our home and hit the road. He continues to lead me back to this doubleminded topic and I believe He lead me to study James because of it. I don’t know what the future holds for myself and Dale, or for the Church in the growing spirit of lawlessness I see all around me. I have prayed for wisdom on several points and I believe God is going to answer, in his time, and in his way. I do not want to be tossed by every wind and most of all I want to please my Rabbi, my Lord.