Life often feels full and busy—we make plans, chase goals, and think about what we want to achieve next. But James reminds us how short and uncertain life really is and that we should not depend on our own strength or plans but on God’s will. James warns us not to live as if tomorrow is promised, not to treat faith like a set of rules, and not to think we can control or save others. Instead, he calls us to trust God in every part of life—our plans, our prayers, and our service—knowing that everything only has meaning when it is done with Him and for Him.
If Tomorrow Never Comes
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.
James 4:14 (NIV)
Why do we pre-plan about things in advance? People often pre-plan their lives because they are driven by personal goals, ambitions, and milestones. They measure success by worldly standards—career, comfort, and security—and find satisfaction in the plans they can control. While planning itself is not wrong, the danger lies in leaving God out of those plans. When our minds are filled with our own expectations, there is little room for God’s direction to take root. We can truly enjoy His presence only when we come before Him empty—free from self-dependence and preconceived notions. Otherwise, our plans begin to outweigh His purpose, and our will takes precedence over His.
Pre-planning without seeking God shows that eternity is far from our thoughts; we think of tomorrow’s achievements but not of our eternal standing before Him. This mindset keeps us tied to the temporary rather than the eternal. The real question is not whether we have planned our future, but whether we have prepared our hearts for eternity. When God is at the centre, our plans align with His will. But when He is absent from our thoughts, even the most detailed plans lose their meaning and permanence.
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
James 4:15 (NIV)
Many people use the phrase “Lord’s will” as a form of religious habit—almost like saying “knock on wood”—a way to sound spiritual while still following their own desires. It has become a polite addition to our boasting. We speak confidently about our houses, our jobs, even our ministries, and then casually add “God willing,” as if the phrase itself sanctifies our ambition. But James reminds us that such speech, when disconnected from genuine submission to God, is empty and deceitful.
As believers, we are called not merely to say “God willing,” but to seek and know the will of God. There is a vast difference between using His name to bless our plans and truly surrendering our plans to Him. Often, we pray, “Let Your will be done,” yet remain unaware—or uninterested—in what His will actually is. When our desires fail, we even blame God, saying, “It wasn’t His will,” though in truth, it was our own will that guided us all along.
The leper who came to Jesus said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2 NIV). That was not superstition or self-interest; it was humble submission—a heart that trusted Jesus’ will over his own. This is the posture God desires. True faith does not hide behind the phrase “God willing” while pursuing personal agendas. It seeks His purpose first and accepts His decision with reverence, knowing that His will is always perfect, even when it differs from ours.
Christian Mantra
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:13-14 (NIV)
At first glance, these verses read like a practical manual for Christian living: pray in trouble, praise in joy, call the elders when sick. Yet a closer look reveals a subtle danger. When spiritual instructions are treated as a formula or a checklist, Jesus can be replaced by the manual itself. Faith becomes procedural rather than relational, and we begin to rely on rituals rather than on Christ’s presence and power.
Such formula-based approaches fail to capture the depth of spiritual life. Prayer, worship, and anointing are not mere mechanics; they are meant to draw us into intimacy with God. When we treat these instructions as steps to be followed to guarantee results, it fosters dependence on elders and elevates them above their role as servants, rather than pointing hearts to the Lord. True Christian living is not about following a manual perfectly—it is about cultivating a living relationship with Jesus, guided by His Spirit, not by rigid formulas.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective – James 5:16 (NIV)
Some interpret this verse to mean that only certain “righteous” or “holy” people have powerful prayers, leading believers to elevate certain individuals as spiritual intermediaries. This has historically led to the practice of bringing one’s prayers and supplications to a designated “righteous” person, assuming their prayer carries more weight before God.
Does God only listen to the prayers of “righteous” people, and what are the pitfalls of designating certain individuals as spiritually more powerful in prayer? Neglecting the importance of having a direct connection of sinners with God is a distortion; the New Testament consistently shows that even the prayers of repentant sinners are heard when God transforms their hearts. This misinterpretation mirrors the errors of the Sadducees and Pharisees, who elevated themselves as holiest and mediated access to God. True prayer is powerful because God works through a transformed heart, not because human judgment or titles confer special authority. In our church we must strive to not foster an environment of spiritual elitism and dependence on humans rather than direct communion with God.
Only Jesus Can Save
Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins – James 5:20 (NIV)
This verse is often misunderstood, leading some christians to interfere unwarrantedly in the lives of others, believing they can single-handedly bring someone to Christ. The challenge lies in the fact that many who attempt this are themselves still struggling in their walk with God. True salvation and transformation come only through Jesus, as Paul reminds us: “Am I crucified for you? Certainly not! Yet I am in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Corinthians 1:13 NIV). No human effort can redeem another or pay the ultimate ransom for their soul.
The psalmist confirms this truth: “No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly; no payment is ever enough—so that they should live on forever and not see decay” (Psalm 49:7–9 NIV). Salvation is God’s work, not ours. While James speaks of turning a sinner from error, the emphasis is on faithful guidance, encouragement, and prayer within the community, not taking upon ourselves the impossible task of redemption. Misapplying this verse can foster pride, judgment, and interference, rather than humble service rooted in God’s grace.
Discussion Topics
- Why do we pre-plan about things in advance?
- Does God only listen to the prayers of “righteous” people, and what are the pitfalls of designating certain individuals as spiritually more powerful in prayer?
- Can we turn even one soul towards Christ?
The Jordan Valley 
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