Presumptive Arrogance

Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.”  James 4:15

Instead – What difference does it really make?  We can go through the motions of saying “If the Lord wills,” a common expression in the last century, but does it really matter?  After all, we still have to do the planning and the executing, right?  Who cares if we add this little “religious” phrase?

This is the sort of thinking that James wants to attack.  Thinking like this is presumptive arrogance.  It assumes that my agenda will happen simply because I decide to make it happen.  It is the final result of the “carpe diem” philosophy.  It is the power of positive thinking made manifest.  I rule my universe and I can achieve whatever I want if I just work hard enough at it.  How many times have you heard something similar?  Go for the gusto.  It’s all up to you. 

James introduces the divine correction to this heresy with the Greek word anti.  James provides the anti-arrogance pill.  Don’t you get it?  You are not in charge of the world – not even your tiny world.  You are not in charge of anything, not even your breathing.  God is the author and sustainer of life itself.  What you are able to do only occurs because He allows it.  To think otherwise is to misunderstand the basic structure of the universe.  Carpe diem only works after you have received directions from the Boss.  If you go to the planning table without an expectation of God’s intervention, you are a fool. 

James wants us to re-consider our ordinary lives.  If Jesus is God, then He is the smartest person who ever walked the planet.  Furthermore, He never lies.  Wouldn’t you want that kind of advice when you start thinking about tomorrow?  Then why are you considering agendas without His input?  Do you think that Jesus is ignorant about marketing, managing or manufacturing?  When He said, “You can do nothing without Me,” He meant it.  How much of your ordinary planning for tomorrow includes a deliberate pause to allow Jesus to speak His mind on the matter?  How many “to do” lists and schedules and arrangements are made without a second thought toward the Author of everything? 

James is not trying to overwhelm you with philosophical concepts.  He is trying to get your orientation correctly aligned.  God is in charge.  Period.  Make allowances for that.  Don’t think you run your life.  Let Him direct your every step.  That’s what He wants to do – and He is quite capable of doing it, if you are willing to set aside your presumptive arrogance and wake up to the truth.

“If the Lord wills” should be on the lips of every Christian every day.  It is the proper motto of a godly life.  Is it your motto today?