Christians of earlier days took...
Illustration
Christians of earlier days took quite literally the urging of James, to attach the condition of the will of God to all plans. When writing letters that involved future appointments, frequently the initials D.V. were used --for "Deo volette" or "God willing." Similarly, the Scottish used the phrase "if spared" in their conversations.
Christians, as well as non-Christians, are guilty of presumption. Those who do not know Christ may speak of planting and harvesting without regard to God's will; the Christian is often just as certain that God should make him prosper, keep him from any insecurity or inconvenience. Our prayers sometimes reflect our attitudes; we frequently sound more like the master ourselves than the servant.
Presumption can work both ways. Happiness is either put way out in the future, presuming we will reach it; or totally abandoned, presuming it is impossible. Presumption and despair, far from being the opposites we sometimes envision them to be, are really of the same attitude that draws hasty conclusions. James challenges all Christians to true and godly confidence, combined with true and godly patience.
In Tracks of a Fellow Struggler, John Claypool describes his working through the death of his young daughter. He concluded that presumption and despair are twin sins. He first struggled with the sin of presumption when he felt sure God would somehow perform a miracle and his daughter would recover. Then he struggled with despair when she died, and he had to come to grips with a God who loves in spite of the death of a loved one.
Christians, as well as non-Christians, are guilty of presumption. Those who do not know Christ may speak of planting and harvesting without regard to God's will; the Christian is often just as certain that God should make him prosper, keep him from any insecurity or inconvenience. Our prayers sometimes reflect our attitudes; we frequently sound more like the master ourselves than the servant.
Presumption can work both ways. Happiness is either put way out in the future, presuming we will reach it; or totally abandoned, presuming it is impossible. Presumption and despair, far from being the opposites we sometimes envision them to be, are really of the same attitude that draws hasty conclusions. James challenges all Christians to true and godly confidence, combined with true and godly patience.
In Tracks of a Fellow Struggler, John Claypool describes his working through the death of his young daughter. He concluded that presumption and despair are twin sins. He first struggled with the sin of presumption when he felt sure God would somehow perform a miracle and his daughter would recover. Then he struggled with despair when she died, and he had to come to grips with a God who loves in spite of the death of a loved one.
