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If the Lord Wills
Thanks for your question. Let’s look at the passage you were referring to in James.
James 4:13-15:
Come now, you who say, today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money.
Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air].
You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing].
When looking at passages of scripture, it is very important they be interpreted according to the entire context of what is being written and spoken. In this case, James is writing to the Jews that were scattered abroad in the dispersion. In chapter two, James is dealing with a specific problem the people around him are facing. The issue is pride. In verses one through three, he talks about strife and quarreling. Strife goes hand-in-hand with pride (Proverbs 13:10). In verses four through ten, he is addressing the love of the world. (1 John 2:16) and calls this the “pride of life.” When you rest in your wealth and position instead of on God, it is called pride. In verse ten, James tells the people to humble themselves before God and look to His grace instead of depending on their works and things acquired. In verses eleven through twelve, James addresses judgmental attitudes towards others. This is also a form of pride. Putting others down to exalt yourself is an expression of pride. James talks about the Law because it reveals we are all sinners in need of grace. James wanted the people to view others through the eyes of grace: who they are in Jesus, not in their actions.
In this context James addresses boasting in the great things they were going to accomplish in business and the wealth that comes with it. Chapter two solely focuses on pride and self-exaltation, calling their boasting evil. The actual plans are not evil. Each of these issues reveals the root problem. When we get into works instead of trusting in God’s grace, we are in pride. This pride manifests in strife, being proud of our wealth and possessions, judging others, and boasting about all the things we can accomplish through our human efforts. James isn’t saying we shouldn’t plan for the future, but that we should realize our ultimate future is in the Lord’s hands. We did not make ourselves, and ultimately, we can’t bless ourselves either. All true blessings come from God’s grace.
Here are a few examples where Paul speaks about his future plans, but does not use the phrase, “If the Lord’s wills.”
Romans 15:23-25, 28:
But now I have no new opportunities for work in this region. For many years I have wanted to visit you.
Now I am on my way to Spain, so I hope to see you when I come your way. After I have enjoyed your company for a while, I hope that you will support my trip to Spain.
Right now I'm going to Jerusalem to bring help to the Christians there.
When the collection is completed and I have officially turned the money over to the Christians in Jerusalem, I will visit you on my way to Spain.
2 Corinthians 12:14:
Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not
responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
However, there are times Paul does use this phrase or similar phrases.
1 Corinthians 4:19:
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.
Romans 1:9:
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
Romans 1:10:
…making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
Philippians 2:24:
But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.
The issue isn’t in saying “If the Lord wills” every time we talk of our plans, but having a humble attitude realizing God is ultimately in control of our lives and is the source of all our blessings.
Some interpret James’ writing to mean we should always find God’s will first before we make plans. However, the Bible teaches it is actually our responsibility to make plans.
Proverbs 16:1:
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:9:
The mind of man plans his way but the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16 shows us that plans belong to man, but God is the one who will direct our steps. Have you ever made a plan but things happened and your plans changed? It is our responsibility to plan, but we also need to be open for those plans changing.
Proverbs 16:3:
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established.
Our plans will be established when we commit our works to the Lord before we carry them out. If you cannot with good conscience commit your plans and works to God, then you need to change them! It is up to us to plan, but God has not left us to plan alone! He wants to assist us in our planning with His counsel and wisdom.
Proverbs 19:21:
Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand.
Proverbs 20:18:
Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance.
It is good to seek out other people for wisdom in making plans, but the best person to get wisdom and counsel from is God. He has given you His Word for wisdom to make wise decisions.
Psalm 119:24:
Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.
God’s Word should be your main counselor. Remember, the Holy Spirit is in you to help with your plans. He is called “the Counselor” for a reason. Again, God is not against your planning; just remember that He is the source of blessing, wisdom, and prosperity. We are to be open to God when we are planning and executing our plans so God will order our steps and to guide us.
God called Paul to go on his first missionary journey in Acts 13:2, but there isn’t any mention of God telling Paul to go on his second one. He just went to Barnabas and said, “Let’s go!” and they went (Acts 15:36). As they were traveling, they tried to go into Asia to preach and the Spirit warned them not to at that time. So, they tried to go into Bithynia and the Spirit said no again. They went the only other direction they could go until they reached water. When they saw this, they sat down and prayed. God gave Paul a vision of where to go next (Acts 16:6-9). I want you to see that Paul planned where to go, but was open to God when He directed him elsewhere. He was sensitive to God’s guidance. Paul was humble. He had an attitude that said, “If God wills!” However, Paul once made plans that God tried to divert, but Paul did not listen. Paul’s desire was to go to Rome and other cities to preach to the Jews. Paul went even though God told him not to and was almost killed. After all of that, he didn’t even get to preach (Acts 21). It pays to be open to God concerning our plans!
God is really interested in our heart attitude. It’s not specifically what you do or say. So do not allow yourself to get into a legalistic mindset about saying certain things. We are not to use vain repetitions. God is interested in our heart attitude. This is how we bring glory to God.
God bless.
Rick McFarland bio
Director/Singles Director
Real Answers bookstore
Grace Church
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