Why Are So Many Christians So Weak?
“To him that knows to do good, and he does it not, to him it is sin.”
Here are the three big mistakes that you can make this coming year:
Planning Without God
Presuming You Have All the Time in the World
Failing to Do What You Already Know You Ought to Do
If you make these mistakes, you will make a mess of this new year.
Profound Truth, Simply Stated
This is Love Worth Finding with Pastor, Teacher, and Author Adrian Rogers.
How to Face the Future
Take God’s Word and turn to James 4. If you don’t have a Bible in your hand, there may be one in the rack before you.
James 4:13-17 says:
“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 morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings; all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
The Three Tragic Mistakes of the Future
This boastful businessman made three mistakes that we are in danger of making as well.
1. Selfish Planning (Planning Without God)
James 4:13 – “Today or tomorrow, we will go into such a city and buy and sell and get gain.”
This businessman planned:
The Period – He chose today or tomorrow.
The Place – He selected a city.
The Procedure – He decided to buy and sell.
The Profit – His goal was to get gain.
He planned everything, but the problem was he left God out. There was no reference to God’s will in his plan.
Would you like to know God’s will?
Three simple steps will help you discover it:
Confession – Get your heart clean before God (Psalm 66:18).
Consecration – Offer yourself to God completely, anytime, anywhere, any cost.
Concentration – Take time to listen to God’s direction through a quiet time.
2. Sinful Presumption (Assuming You Have All the Time in the World)
James 4:14 – “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.”
This man presumed that he had control over the future, but life is uncertain and fleeting—like a vapor.
Two enemies of today:
Yesterday – Holding onto past guilt, grief, or grudges.
Forget those things which are behind. (Philippians 3:14)
Past guilt? Confess it. God will forgive and cleanse you.
Past grief? Let God heal you.
Past grudges? Release them and forgive.
Tomorrow – Assuming you have all the time in the world.
Life is short and uncertain.
Live each day as if it were your last. Treat your family and others with love and grace today, not tomorrow.
3. Slothful Procrastination (Failing to Do What You Already Know You Should Do)
James 4:17 – “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
This businessman neglected to act on what he already knew was right. The greatest sin is not always committing wrong but failing to do what is right.
The Dangers of Procrastination:
Spiritual Weakness – Many Christians are weak because they neglect prayer and Bible study.
Broken Relationships – Neglecting love and care in marriage or friendships.
Church Decline – Neglecting tithing, worship, and service leads to a dying church.
Illustration: A man said, “I don’t do anything,” and his employer replied, “That’s why you’re fired!”
Neglect leads to ruin. Failing to act on God’s will is a sin of omission.
Why are people lost?
John 3:18 – “He that believeth not is condemned already.”
People are not lost because of the bad things they have done, but because they have failed to believe in Christ.
Practical Steps for a Victorious New Year
Live today as if it were your last.
When God speaks, obey immediately.
Treat others with kindness and love without delay.
“This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
How to Avoid These Mistakes
Planning Without God? Involve Him in every decision.
Presuming About Tomorrow? Live one day at a time.
Failing to Act? Obey God’s commands today.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Would you bow your heads in prayer? Say:
“Lord, I confess my sins. I consecrate myself to you. I will listen and obey your voice each day. Help me to follow Your will in all I do.”
Amen.
