The book of James in the Bible contains practical instructions on living a life of faith. In chapter 4, verse 14, James asks the rhetorical question “What is your life?” This question is meant to provoke self-reflection and point us to the fleeting nature of life.
Here is James 4:14 in context:
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (James 4:14 ESV)
By asking “What is your life?” James aims to shake us out of complacency and remind us that life is brief, like a vapor that appears for a little while and then disappears. The brevity of life is a theme found elsewhere in Scripture as well (see Psalm 90:12, Psalm 39:4-6). God intends for this truth to lead us to number our days rightly and make the most of the time we’ve been given (Psalm 90:12).
So what is the purpose behind this rhetorical question? There are several implications we can draw:
Life Is Short
First, it reminds us that life is fleeting and transient. Our lives are but a mist, a vapor, a breath – here one moment and gone the next. We often go through life thinking we have all the time in the world, putting things off till “someday.” But James jolts us out of this complacency – life is shorter than you think! Don’t assume you have decades ahead of you, as your life could end at any moment.
Life Is Uncertain
Not only is life short, but it is also uncertain. We do not know how much time we have left. Our lives are like a morning fog – it may lift by midday or it may remain all day. But it is not something we can control. This should lead us to cling much more loosely to the things of this world.
Death Is Coming
By pointing to the transitory nature of life, James hints at the inevitability of death. Just as morning fog vanishes when the sun rises, our lives will one day disappear. We cannot escape death, no matter our status or wealth. The question forces us to confront our mortality.
Don’t Waste Your Life
Since life is fleeting, James implies we should make the most of the time we’ve been given. Don’t fritter away your life on pointless pursuits but live intentionally for God’s glory. Make your life count for eternal purposes. Be generous, share the gospel, serve others – things that will endure after you’re gone.
Live in Light of Eternity
Not only should we make the most of our limited time on earth, but the brevity of life should cause us to live with eternity in mind. This world is not all there is! Our lives do not end at the grave but continue on into eternity. The vapor of life is followed by the sea of eternity. Keep your focus on the world to come.
Don’t Boast in Your Plans
Some context is helpful here. In James 4:13-17, James rebukes those who make proud plans and boast about tomorrow without submitting to God’s will. His question “What is your life?” reminds us that we are not in control of our lives. Our plans can be thwarted in an instant. So rather than boasting, we should say “if God wills, we will do this or that” (James 4:15).
You Are Not Guaranteed Tomorrow
James’ readers were making ambitious plans for their future without considering God’s sovereignty. “What is your life?” reminds us we are not even guaranteed a tomorrow! We have no idea what a day may bring. Our lives are completely dependent on God’s providential care moment by moment. Don’t presume you will see tomorrow.
Repent and Draw Near to God
Why does James bring up the brevity of life in the context of rebuking sinful living? Because he wants it to lead to repentance! Life is too short to live apart from God. The fleeting nature of life should drive us to make our relationship with God the priority. Turn from sin and draw near to God each day you’re granted life and breath.
Life as a Christian Is Also Short
James addresses fellow believers in the church. His reminder of the transitory nature of life applies to Christians too. Following Christ does not exempt you from the brevity of life. Take hold of the purposes God has for you in this fleeting life. Make the most of your time for His glory.
In summary, James asks “What is your life?” to shake us awake to eternal perspective. May his question move us to live intentionally and urgently for the glory of God!
Here are some key Scripture verses that speak to the fleeting nature of life:
“Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.” (Psalm 144:4)
“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.” (Psalm 103:15-16)
“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)
“Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you.” (Psalm 39:5a)
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)
“For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.” (1 Chronicles 29:15)
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:13-14)
“You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.” (Psalm 90:5-6)
“My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.” (Psalm 102:11)
“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.” (Psalm 103:15-16)
“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14 NKJV)
In summary, the rhetorical question “What is your life?” in James 4:14 is meant to provoke self-reflection on the fleeting nature of life. It reminds us that life is short and uncertain, death is coming, we should live intentionally for God, not boast in our plans, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. This truth should lead us to repent of sin and make knowing God our life’s priority. May we all number our days rightly and live for eternal purposes!
