To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen (Ro 16:27).
Maybe this has happened. You ask a question of someone or want a comment from someone and the person looks up—in the air or to the sky or toward the ceiling. (Rubbing the chin or scratching the head is optional.) As if the answer or observation is going to be there. It is not a bad thing. It may be because he is just considering how to reply or it is that she is just contemplating how to respond. There is a glance up before something comes out.
In a sense, that is where James wants our eyes to be in order to be wise—upwards. Get your wisdom from above.
Perhaps we need to define wisdom. With the first semester of school underway, we might think of the student who is all about the accumulation of information from instructors or the acquisition of insight from professors. And nothing wrong with that. That is useful when it comes to quizzes and tests or helpful when writing papers or reports. But we can aim a bit higher. Even more than reciting the books of the Bible in order or remembering some Bible passages from catechism class. Wisdom from above is a way of thinking and a manner of living.
Real wisdom is knowing that Jesus has come from above (Jn 3:31)—just like every good and perfect gift (Ja 1:17). He appeared to be our Savior—One who was lifted up on a cross for our sin and raised from a tomb for our freedom (Ro 4:25). The apostle Paul once pointed out: Jesus is “wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Co 1:30). We stand before God, dressed in Jesus’ perfection (Jesus is our righteousness), set free from sin and separate from it (Jesus is our holiness.) because Jesus has paid the price with his blood to release us (Jesus is our redemption.). Jesus explained that to his disciples very clearly and concisely: “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise” (Mk 9:31). Don’t miss that: death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit has recorded that for us in the Holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Ti 3:15). That wisdom comes from God to us—from above.
But the book of James is like a follow up with the doctor. You have a procedure done and then schedule another appointment for him to see how you are healing. The faith in our hearts will show in our lives. And so James inquires in order for us to evaluate: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” (Ja 3:13). Faith goes on display through our noble behavior. “Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (Ja 3:13). There is a genuine gentleness. That is not weakness, but wisdom.
How does that look? Sometimes we learn through contrasts. We know the difference between hot and cold because we have experienced them. James begins with wisdom “from below.” The difference is detectable from what is “from above.” “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth” (Ja 3:14). Exhibit A is the discussion of the disciples (or better, disagreement). Jesus was focusing on ascending an instrument of torture and they were fixated on climbing a ladder of promotion—arguing “about who was the greatest” (Mk 9:34). I wonder if they were a little nicer than some of those TV commercials about his coming November. Speaking arrogantly and falsely does not reflect wisdom.
In fact, James can conclude: “Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven” (Ja 3:15). And then he adds three ugly qualifiers. “But is …”
“Earthly” (Ja 3:15)—opposite of heavenly.
“Unspiritual” (Ja 3:15)—according to our sinful, human nature.
“Of the devil” (Ja 3:15)—demonic. And Satan’s goal is to devour and destroy (1 Pe 5:8), pulling us away from God and pulling us down to hell.
And then James highlights what it leads to: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (Ja 3:16). Selfish actions—demanding one’s own way at the expense of others (a “me first” outlook)—results in no good thing. We see that play out over and over again in our community and in our country. Not to mention, sin can grow, starting with an attitude in our hearts and coming out in an action in our lives (Ja 1:14,15)—coveting something could end up in stealing, wanting something that is not ours to making it ours.
James does not stay there or stop there. And that is valuable. There is a different kind of wisdom. And there is quite a lineup. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is …” (Ja 3:17)
“first of all pure”—There is no moral defect as an unwanted additive in food, but definite integrity.
“then peace-loving”—It fosters peace. It might look like allowing another to merge on the highway rather than speeding up to cut him off, or an employee not talking under one’s breath about a boss or a child behind a parent’s back, or siblings not arguing whose turn it is to wash the dishes.
“considerate”—It remains steadfast even in the face of injustice. Jeremiah typifies that. He continued to proclaim the truth even when those around him plotted against his life—leaving it in the Lord’s hands. “To you I have committed my cause” (Je 11:20). Or as the psalmist David had us sing: “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; deliver me in your righteousness” (Ps 31:1).
“submissive”—There is a willingness to obey as one observes the speed limit on the road.
“full of mercy and good fruit”—Fall is right around the corner. A common decoration is a cornucopia. It is a horn-like wicker tube from which fruit or vegetables spill out. Such is a wise life—overflowing with beneficial works—fruits of faith, like apples on a tree. There are kindness and compassion, for example.
“impartial”—There is no prejudice.
“sincere”—There is no hypocrisy, a phony pretense or show. [Notice the last two positive qualities we describe negatively—what it is not.]
So does that describe your last week? This morning? If we are fair, we fail. So then what? We go back to the peace that Jesus gives (Jn 14:27)—perfect peace between us and God, purchased on Good Friday and provided by Easter Sunday. All is right between us and God.
Those who know peace sow that peace like seeds. “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (Ja 3:18). And we are “blessed” (Mt 5:9) as we do that in our homes and in our churches and in our relationships—planting kernels of peace which leads to a plentiful crop of peace.
There are also those who look down before they have a reaction or a comeback. I don’t know if it is to hide embarrassment or to buy time. But not us. We look up—not to a mountaintop guru, but a merciful God. Get your wisdom from above. It is not a bunch of facts and figures. It is faith and fruitfulness. We are truly wise.
We read from James 3:13-18:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
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.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen! (Re 7:12).
September 22, 2018
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