WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?

JAMES 4:1

A. "GO TO NOW, YE THAT SAY, TODAY OR TOMORROW WE WILL GO INTO SUCH A CITY AND CONTINUE THERE A YEAR, AND BUY AND SELL, AND GET GAIN. WHEREAS YE KNOW NOT WHAT SHALL BE ON THE TOMORROW, FOR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? IT IS EVEN A VAPOR THAT APPEARETH FOR A LITTLE SEASON, AND THEN VANISHETH AWAY"
  1. These are familiar words to most of us:
    1. Time has not changed human inclinations "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he" - Prov. 23:7
    2. Man attempts to make plans for tomorrow oblivious to the fact that he has no assurance of tomorrow - Prov. 27:1; Examples: The parable of the rich farmer - Luke 16:19-31; Felix and his illusions of tomorrow - Acts 24:25
  2. There is a timely lesson about the question of life:
    1. Reinforced by this memorial service
    2. A time when sober thoughts ought to prevail B. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?
  3. Our natural life:
    1. It is very short - Ps. 90:10
    2. Most uncertain - James 4:14; Is. 38:12
  4. Our moral life:
    1. For the child of God, life is a walk with God - Examples - Enoch walked with God - Gen. 5:22; Noah walked with God - Gen. 6:9; and Abraham walked with God - Gen. 17:1
    2. But life is different for the sinner - it is a time of longsuffering by God - Gen. 6:1-6; I Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:9
    3. For the child of God, life is opportunity for development of talents and character - Phil. 4:8; 2 Pet. 1:2-8; Phil. 3:13-17; to do good and bless others - Matt. 5:13-16; 25:31-39; Luke 12:20
    4. For the sinner life is sowing upon the flesh and reaping a woeful harvest - Gal. 6:6-8; Luke 16:1-12
  5. These facts speak for themselves; they show conclusively:
    1. That life is conduct - good or bad
    2. It is an expression of our person, and that gives it personal responsibility - Eccl. 11:9; Gal. 6:7-9
    3. Life is influence and influence makes and leaves a mark upon the life of others - 2 Cor. 2:15-16 C. WHY THIS QUESTION?
  6. It is sobering but eternally true:
    1. That our life in the flesh determines our final destiny (i) the day of reckoning is certain; that was made very clear to Belshazzar on that notable night - Dan. 5:25-28; Felix understood this truth - Acts 24:25; so will every judgment bound person - Luke 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:10
    2. The wise man assures us that life is a precious possession to be used for good or for bad - Eccl. 3:1-8
    3. All this shows that my [resent life is a God given opportunity and God expects me to use it to the glory of God
  7. But there is a brighter side to the question of our opening text:
    1. The question is brought to our attention to assure us that we still have it in our power to determine, at least in part, the outcome of our life - good or bad; it is still a matter of choice - Deut. 30:19; Josh. 24:15
    2. There are, as yet, two roads to choose from; the straight and narrow way - Matt. 7:13-14; or the broad road upon which many find it convenient to be on
    3. Our sins can still be forgiven and blotted out - Acts 3:19-20
    4. God's hand is still stretched out in mercy to save us - Is. 55:7
    5. It is still today, but only today for you and for me; let us use it to determine our destiny - 2 Cor. 6:1-3; Heb. 3:7-9
  8. Sobering, but eternally true:
    1. The question of our opening text can not be put in the form the Bible states it
    2. For our brother - the question is, "What was his life? His book is completed and the record of his life comes in review before God.
    3. I am glad that it is not for me to determine the outcome of his life - that is the prerogative of God alone and that is best


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