Summary
Unpack the rich context of James 4:13-17 in this insightful sermon that reveals the dangers of arrogant planning and boasting. Examine how our current spiritual state affects our future plans and learn to recognize God’s providence in our lives. Discover the importance of submitting our plans to God’s will and the significance of the Latin phrase “Deo Volente” in Christian living.
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Thread
Reflections on James 4:13-17
In our fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of planning and pursuing our ambitions. Yet, how often do we pause to consider God’s will in our endeavors? Many of the Puritans and past Christians used to do something that helped them remember that their lives were not their own and that God had a plan for their lives. From their grand plans to their daily correspondences, they would write “D.V.” At the end, which is a visual reminder of what James writes in today’s thread.
The Problem: Self-Reliance vs. Divine Dependence
We live in a culture that glorifies self-reliance and meticulous planning. We are encouraged to map out every detail of our lives, from career paths to retirement plans. However, this self-assured approach often neglects the uncertainty of life and the sovereignty of God. James 4:13-17 challenges us by highlighting the futility of making plans without acknowledging God’s will:
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes” (James 4:13-14 CSB).
Understanding James’ Message
Throughout the 4th chapter, we have learned the different areas in which the war of God and The World (from James 4:4) impacts our lives.
James 4:4 CSB
You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.
Internal Conflict: James first addresses the internal struggle between submitting to God or succumbing to temptation and worldly desires. This struggle begins in our hearts, where the desire grows until it is ultimately acted on.
Community Impact: The victor of this internal battle influences the Christian community. When individuals prioritize selfish ambitions, it leads to division and all of the issues James has mentioned thus far rather than love for one another, which leads to unity in Christ.
The Planning War: James now warns against a person with these heart issues (envy, selfish ambition, slander, worldly pursuits, hedonistic passions, critical judgments, lack of humility, unsubmissiveness, impurity, unrepentantness, and wanderlust from God’s presence) who are prideful, self-centered, sinfully self-reliant pleasure seekers that arrogantly plans for the future without God’s guidance. He urges believers to adopt a posture of humility and acknowledge God’s providence in their future plans.
Key Issues Highlighted by James
- 1. Infighting and Envy stem from selfish desires and lead to spiritual adultery against God. Their hearts’ temptations have caused them to slander one another, envy what the other has, and create divisions in the church body.
- 2. Boasting and Arrogance: Their future plans aren’t innocent 5-year business plans. Bragging about what you will accomplish without God reflects prideful self-reliance, which James condemns as evil (James 4:16).
- 3. Sin of Omission: They fought one another because they failed to abide by the Royal Law of Love. They failed to incorporate God into their future plans, and they failed to love God with their whole being. They knew they should abide by Jesus’ Great Commandment (love God, love your neighbor) but did not, and failing to do something you know you should is a sin.
- 4. Neglecting God’s Sovereignty: As former Jews, they should have known better. The Old Testament is filled with advice and examples of such foolishness.
Proverbs 27:1 CSB
Don’t boast about tomorrow,
for you don’t know what a day might bring.
Daniel 4:28–35
King Nebuchadnezzar glorified himself when walking on his balcony and baosted that his hand had built the kingdom of Babylon, so God immediately caused him to live like a beast of the field for 7 years. After his punishment, all the king could do was recognize God’s sovereign power by saying, “For his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and he does what he wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can block his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Don’t say you believe God exists and live like He doesn’t. You cannot be a professing Christian but live like a practical atheist.
The Role of Sovereignty and Providence
Understanding God’s sovereignty is crucial. He governs all creation with wisdom and purpose. These arrogant entrepreneurs forgot that and tried to forge their own future. For clarity, below are brief definitions of these two terms, because while they are often used as synonyms, they each have their own purpose and focus.
– God’s Sovereignty: He rules over His creation with complete authority and control.
– God’s Providence: He actively governs history toward His intended purposes.
On a macro level, these truths assure us that God knows the future (because He ordained it) and is actively guiding human history toward that end. But, on a micro level, it gives us great confidence and assurance that in the grand scheme of human history is a well-crafted plan for each of us. As Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
God’s providential hand has guided human history since its inception and will continue until its conclusion.
Do you really believe this is true? Is God sovereignly ruling over the cosmos? Is He also actively involved in human history? Do I truly believe that I am also His workmanship that has been uniquely made and gifted to do certain things? Then, why do we leave Him out of our plans so often?
The Remedy: Deo Volente
James offers a solution through humility and submission to God: “If God wills, we will live and do this or that.” This is the meaning behind those two letters our Christian ancestors wrote. D.V. is Latin for Deo Volente, which means “God willing.” It was their way of visually reminding themselves that God is ultimately in control, and their job was to accept God’s plans, not the other way around.
Doing this also helps us do two things he mentioned earlier:
– Submit: Align your will with God’s before making any plans, just as we submit to Him before resisting the devil.
– Be humble: We must humble ourselves before we can submit to Him, both our resent circumstances and future plans.
Christ Connection
This passage calls us to shift from saying “my will” to “thy will,” recognizing that our lives are fleeting and ultimately under God’s control. Jesus modeled this in the garden before his arrest and crucifixion. As a human, Jesus did not want to experience the pain, shame, humiliation, and death that was hours away, but He also knew this was the exact reason He came to earth: to be the atoning sacrificial lamb of God who takes away this sin of the world, so he said, “Not my will but your will be done.”
Application for Daily Living
To incorporate this mindset into daily life:
- 1. Plan with Prayer: Before setting any goals, seek God’s guidance through prayer.
- 2. Adopt “D.V.” in Practice: While you may not write “D.V.” on every plan, let its essence guide your decisions.
- 3. Reflect on Your Priorities: Ensure your plans reflect a submission to God’s purposes rather than personal ambitions.
Conclusion: Living Deo Volente
In conclusion, living with a Deo Volente mindset transforms how we view our future. It shifts our focus from self-reliance to divine dependence, aligning our hearts with God’s eternal purposes. As James reminds us, failing to acknowledge God’s role in our lives is not only presumptuous but sinful omission (James 4:17). Let us strive to live each day under the banner of “God willing,” trusting that He holds all tomorrows in His hands. By embracing this perspective, we move closer to fulfilling Christ’s commandment to love God wholly and love our neighbors as ourselves—living not just for today but for eternity with Him.
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FAQs
1. What does “D.V.” stand for and why did Christians use it?
D.V. stands for the Latin phrase Deo Volente, meaning “God willing.” Christians, particularly the Puritans, used it to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and remind themselves that their plans were contingent upon His will.
2. According to James 4:13-17, what is wrong with making plans without considering God?
James 4:13-17 criticizes the arrogance of making elaborate plans without acknowledging God’s control over the future. It highlights the fleeting nature of life and emphasizes the need to rely on God’s will, not our own limited understanding.
3. What are some of the key issues James addresses in chapter 4?
James tackles the “war” between God’s desires and worldly desires. He addresses:
- Internal Conflict: The struggle within ourselves to choose God over temptation.
- Community Impact: Selfish ambitions leading to division and conflict within the Christian community.
- The Planning War: Arrogantly making plans without seeking God’s guidance.
4. How do the stories of King Nebuchadnezzar and Jesus connect to this idea?
Both stories illustrate the importance of submitting to God’s will. Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and self-reliance led to his downfall, highlighting God’s ultimate power. Jesus, facing immense suffering, surrendered His will to the Father’s, providing the ultimate example of humility and obedience.
5. What is the difference between God’s sovereignty and God’s providence?
- Sovereignty: God’s absolute authority and control over all creation.
- Providence: God’s active involvement in guiding history towards His intended purposes.
6. How can we practically apply the “Deo Volente” mindset in our daily lives?
- Plan with Prayer: Seek God’s guidance before making any decisions or setting goals.
- Adopt “D.V.” in Practice: Let the principle of God’s will guide your actions, even if you don’t literally write “D.V.” everywhere.
- Reflect on Your Priorities: Ensure your plans align with God’s purposes rather than solely personal ambition.
7. How does the “Deo Volente” mindset shift our perspective?
It moves us from self-reliance to divine dependence. We acknowledge our limitations and place our trust in God’s wisdom and plan for our lives.
8. What is the ultimate goal of living with a “Deo Volente” mindset?
To fulfill Christ’s command to love God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves. This means living not just for today but for eternity, submitting to God’s will and allowing Him to guide our steps.
Glossary of Christianeze Words
Self-reliance: Excessive dependence on one’s own abilities and resources, neglecting the need for God’s guidance.
Divine dependence: Recognizing our reliance on God’s power and will, seeking His guidance in all aspects of life.
Sovereignty: God’s supreme authority and control over all creation.
Providence: God’s active involvement in guiding history towards His intended purposes.
Sin of omission: Failing to do something that is morally right or commanded by God.
Deo Volente (D.V.): Latin phrase meaning “God willing,” acknowledging God’s role in the fulfillment of plans.
Submission: Aligning one’s will with God’s will, surrendering to His authority.
Humility: Recognizing our limitations and dependence on God, acknowledging His greatness.
Worldly desires: Desires that are contrary to God’s will and prioritize earthly pleasures and ambitions.
Eternal purposes: God’s ultimate plan for humanity and the world, extending beyond our earthly existence.
Study Questions
Inductive Questions
Context
1. What was the cultural and historical background of the audience James was addressing in his letter?
2. How does the theme of reliance on God versus self-reliance appear in other parts of the Bible?
3. What is the significance of the phrase “Deo Volente,” and how was it used historically by Christians?
4. What heart issues are described in the rest of chapter four?
Observation
1. What specific issues does James highlight in James 4:13-17 regarding planning and self-reliance?
2. How does James describe the nature of life in this passage?
3. What are some examples James gives that show a lack of humility and submission to God?
Meaning
1. Why does James consider boasting about future plans without acknowledging God as evil?
2. How does James 4:13-17 relate to the broader message of humility and submission found in the book of James?
3. What does this passage teach us about God’s sovereignty and providence?
Application
1. How can we incorporate a “Deo Volente” mindset into our daily planning and decision-making?
2. In what ways can we ensure that our plans reflect God’s purposes rather than our own ambitions?
3. What steps can you take to shift from self-reliance to divine dependence in your personal life?
