Business Class Pride

"Attack the Status Quo" seems to be the motto for the book of James! The attitudes James exposes in chapter 4:13-17 are nothing less than a clash of worldviews that the brother of Jesus must confront. The first "worldview" is what we might call "business class pride", a practical atheism that presumptuously plans as if there was no God. "Religion is all well and good for Sunday morning, but I'll take control of my own pursuits starting Monday". We plan as if tomorrow was guaranteed and we determined the outcome of events.

Yet as recent headlines have shown us, our lives are but a vapor. We are here today and gone tomorrow. And if we were so smart about the future, why did the economic downturn catch us so off guard?

No, humility demands we confess we are much more frail and ignorant than we'd like to admit. But there is another way to view the world.

Rather than "business class pride", we need to live life before the face of God – something ancient theologians called "Coram Deo". R.C. Sproul explains it like this:

"This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live one's entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God"

"Living under divine sovereignty involves more than a reluctant submission to sheer sovereignty that is motivated out of a fear of punishment. It involves recognizing that there is no higher goal than offering honor to God. Our lives are to be living sacrifices, oblations offered in a spirit of adoration and gratitude."

As we conduct our lives in the business world, we do so with an understanding of the sovereignty and providence of God. Yes, we must make plans and do business. But we do so in a spirit of simple humility and joyful dependence on God for the outcome. As a wise man once said, "Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3

And when God alters our plans, rather than frustration and irritation, we can respond with trust and excitement about the new adventure He has for us! To quote John Newton (writer of "Amazing Grace"):

"When I hear a knock at my study door, I hear a message from God. It may be a lesson of instruction; perhaps a lesson of patience: but, since it is his message, it must be interesting!"

The well wisher of your soul's happiness,

Pastor Tom