Boasting: an Insult to Christ

Our Love for God

Loving God, Trusting Christ

Submit to God in Love

James 4:13-17 The Message

Nothing but a Wisp of Fog

13-15 And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”
16-17 As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.

For Reflection

"Now that I am a Christian, I have a better chance for success."  "Look out world, God's on my side!"  " I am better than all of you in your petty attempts at attainment."  "Move over heathens!"

Statements like those above are an indication of belief in magic, not God.  These are the words of one destined to say, "Look what I've done."  "Alone, I fought the odds."  It is the epitome of idolatry to think that you, alone, have done anything.  It is never true.

Bragging is nothing but a wisp of fog, an indication of one's ignorance and "inshallah," if God wills, is an admission of trust in God, not an excuse for failure to see the will of God.

Pray

Pray so that you will be aware of those who have supported you and guided you.  Pray so that you will always remember that God has prepared the path for you. 


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