James referred to a specific arrogance present among his readers. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'” (4:13). Doesn’t that perfectly describe our culture, pre-COVID-19? The world was speeding along, unconcerned, living life to the fullest. Few were worried about the possibility of a pandemic that would cripple the world’s economy, and would inspire talk of a “new normal” that would include social distancing and foundational changes.
We have been given a wake up call. James answered those mentioned in the above verse with these words, “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (2:14). All of us today are a bit more aware of our own mortality. Though the virus is not deadly to all, the daily count that we see on every news program is sobering. Carefree days are over. People are scared, and are beginning to realize the frailty of life. We are not quite as in control as we thought we were.
So, Who is? God! “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (2:15). I sometimes wonder how James’ readers responded to his words. Did they immediately repent? Did they acknowledge that their future was in the hands of the Almighty? Or did they dismiss what he said and continue in their arrogance?
What will we do? Will the pandemic cause us to turn to God? Will we acknowledge our dependence upon Him. Will we begin to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that”? After the pandemic passes, will the world just go back to the pre-COVID-19 days, and by and large dismiss God as irrelevant? I hope the “new normal” includes God, and obedience to His word.
James ends his discourse with these words, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (2:17). We are put on this earth to do the will of God (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:13). We only have a few days, and tomorrow is not promised. Therefore, it is important that we seek to serve Him today!
Click below to…
