The Lord WILLS certain things. We ought not use the phrase “Lord willing” like He is a micromanager. Rather, in the context of James 4, the Lord’s will is for us to live life for HIS WILL.

5 Things the Lord WILLS.

Not WILLING that any perish.
2Pet 3:9; 2Cor 7; Acts 8:22.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

INCREASE. 1Th 4:1-12; 2Pet 3:18.

Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, –that ye abound more and more.

LABOR. Eph 4:28.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.

LOVE. Matt 22:37-39; 1Thess 4:9-10.

But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;
10 for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;

SAVE all men. 1Tim 2:1-8.

3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Any shortfall in what God is Willing for all is not from an inability. Rather, it must be due to someone’s freewill acting contrary to His Will.

Does God want repentance of all? Yes. Are all repentant? No.

Does God want all to increase in good works? Yes. Do all increase? No.

Does God want all to Labor to provide for their own? Yes. Do they? No.

Does God want all to Love one another? Yes. Do they? No.

Does God want all to be saved? Yes. Are all saved? No.

agape

Spencer

click here for more outlines of the book of James.