James and True Wisdom
James 3:17-18
As a Church we are taking a verse-by-verse journey through the Book of James.
We know that James, the half-brother of Jesus, is writing this letter to believers who are outside of Jerusalem, and they are facing the ongoing challenge of persecution and rejection.
James is very blunt in his practicality of the faith. (There’s a famous movie line: “You can’t handle the truth.” Well, if you can’t, the book of James isn’t for you.)
One of the key themes of the entire letter is that “Faith without works is dead”
For James, if the faith we have in Christ, doesn’t change our everyday lives, it’s useless, it’s as good as dead.
As we are coming into the conclusion of Chapter 3 in our study, we find James once again challenging us, this time not just in our faith, but in our wisdom.
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James is calling his readers, you and me, to something different, a different way of life, a God given, Jesus oriented, spirit lead way of living.
In verses 17 and 18 James goes to great lengths to help us see what this Heavenly wisdom alternative looks like in our lives.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Wisdom from heaven is first of all pure
-Wisdom that is from God is un polluted by sin or selfish ambition.
Wisdom from heaven is then peace loving.
-William Barclay says here “peace, used in a human context, its basic meaning is right relationships between individuals, and between individuals and God”
Wisdom from heaven is Considerate or Gentle
-The idea is that heavenly wisdom is gracious and patient. Not vengeful and harsh. It is sensitive to the needs of others. It’s yielding to others, not demanding to have things a certain way.
Heavenly wisdom is submissive
-Basically, heavenly wisdom isn’t stubborn.
Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit.
– It is stuffed full, packed tight, with Mercy and good fruit. Quite a contrast to the produce of earthly wisdom: disorder and evil desire…
Heavenly wisdom is impartial
-Impartial carries the idea of not making distinctions between people. Treating everyone fairly and equally, especially those with whom we may disagree
Finally, heavenly wisdom is sincere or without hypocrisy.
-Heavenly wisdom is genuine and authentic. Real and true. Someone with heavenly wisdom is someone you can count on, you can go to them for advice, you know they are rock solid and dependable.
If we are honest, whether we have been a Christian 30 years, 30 days, or still on the fence about this Jesus thing, these 7 things mark a completely different life than what we are inclined to live on our own.
And I think that’s a big part of what James is saying.
James 3:18
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James has already told us in Chapter 1 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
God is longing, desiring to give us his wisdom.
God is yearning that our lives would produce the fruit of Righteousness rather than a trail of destruction, disorder, and pain.
Today, there is a way. There is a way to live a new life…
God’s wisdom is a precious gift. Ask Him for it, and continue asking.
James in 8 Minutes
This overview video on the book of James breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In this book, James combines the wisdom of his brother Jesus with the book of Proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn-hLHWwRYY