Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

finds itself on the slippery slope. There is hardly any doubt that there is a
need for James’ tender love in tough pursuit of total holiness en route to ultimate
perfection.
Incidentally, worry is just the opposite of such a self-possessed spirit.
The latter man’s heart and mind are filled with fear and uncertainty because
of an apparent lack of control about the future! Worry always has the tendency
to paralyze! In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul gives the answer to worry: “Be
anxious in nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.”
In worry, the heart and mind of man are “torn apart” with anxious and
distressing thoughts and emotions. But, when man turns to God and brings
everything before Him, God will calm down the heart and the mind. The
steps of turning to God are intriguing. The first one is prayer. Man enters the
throne room of God. The second is supplication. Man shuts everything out,
including all joys and sorrows, and closes the door behind him. Now he sees
God only. This, thirdly, leads to thanksgiving in (1 Thess. 5:18), and for,
(Eph. 5:20) all circumstances. Fourthly, once thanksgiving in place, the petitions
can (“for once”) be trusted. They are no longer self-centered or selfserving.
Finally, the peace of God is “suddenly” present, in an inexplicable
manner, all right, but present nevertheless. Still, Paul does not stop there. He
adds that on the basis of this peace in the heart, man must start concentrating
on thinking and doing the right things. Then, the believer, in addition to experiencing
the presence of the peace of God, will be favored with the presence
of the God of peace. Now the future cannot be more secure. The peace of
God has taken over both the heart and the mind ... and the God of peace has
granted his presence, fellowship and protection (Phil. 4:8-9)! The presence
and enjoyment of the peace of God as well as the God of peace! Undoubtedly
the twofold remedy for worry!
In the present context we encounter a businessman who is poles apart
from a worry-wart. His heart and mind are brimful with self-confidence and
optimism. But the antidote is the same for both, for they have something fundamental
in common. They are both self-centered, however much the practical
display of this self-centeredness may differ. In short, they are both all too
human in their “practical atheism.” God’s absolute sway over and presence in
everything does not function in either one of them.
It goes without saying that James cannot be opposed to planning or
making provisions for the future. Scripture gives ample illustrations as well as
injunctions to this effect (Gen. 41:35; Prov. 6:6-8; 30:25; Acts 11:29; Rom.
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