Do Good While We Can

Can you believe it is already the last day of February? When it seems to me that the first of the year was just a few days ago, I can really understand the meaning of the scripture from James 4:14. “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

James was making an important point when he asked this question about life and provided the answer about how brief the span of our human life is. He points out in the scripture just prior to the portion of verse 14 quoted above that we often say, “To day or to morrow 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.”

We often plan ahead or postpone doing things we ought to take care of today, especially in spiritual matters. After stating that our life is as a vapor, James tells us we ought to say, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

Then he instructs us in James 4:17, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” This verse reminds me of a quote I heard a few years ago that I try to remember but still fail in heeding. “The least of deeds is greater that the grandest of intentions.”

I fear that my good intentions exceed my good deeds most days. As we continue through this year may we plan for the future while giving daily attention to our spiritual well being and relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Brother Mitch Glasscock