Year 2, Week 41, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 41, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of James 3-5.

Today’s reading completes the Book of James. This James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, emerges as a key leader in the early church (he will offer the final proposal at the Jerusalem Council-see Acts 15). The Book of James, one of the earliest written Books of the New Testament, is a very practical work. James 3 explores the danger of the tongue: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness” (James 3:6a); but also zeros in on an inner need for wisdom from above: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:17-18). James 4 addresses how wrong inward desires create a host of relational troubles: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel” (James 4:1-2a). James 5 pertains to several practical exhortations, including the admonition to remain steadfast before the Lord amid unjust suffering: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7-8).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is what the Lord says to us about possessing wisdom: “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). The desire to be perceived as wise is often a strong desire. It is very common, perhaps nearly universal to want to be known as wise. But the possession of true wisdom is not for the purposes of self-exaltation. Nor is genuine wisdom some mere knowledge that elevates someone above others. True wisdom starts with a posture that reveres and respects the true God as Creator, Sustainer, Ruler and Judge: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). Recognizing one’s proper place in the created order and submitting to the Creator’s instructions in daily life is essential. True wisdom seeks the LORD: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). True wisdom seeks to renounce any notion of self-endowed wisdom, but also seeks to reject wickedness: “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7). The possession of true wisdom, like true faith, shows itself through good conduct and deeds that are done with a humble attitude. Moral character giving rise to the cultivation of a life of good works in a meek disposition is evidence of someone who is “wise and understanding.” It is a reality that is demonstrated.

Anyone can say they are wise, but James warns us to pay attention to what is percolating in our hearts: “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth” (James 3:14). A heart condition of bitter jealousy is the wicked desire for and resentment of the abilities, possessions, or status of another. A heart condition of selfish ambition is prideful inner desire to promote oneself or one’s personal concerns without reference to God or the genuine needs of others. The sort of jealousy and ambition that James is speaking of are sinful heart conditions antithetical to true wisdom. The active presence of sinful vices in our hearts leaves no room in our hearts for wisdom. And where the heart is empty of wisdom and full of sinful vice, the outward manifestation will not be commensurate with moral character giving rise to the cultivation of a life of good works expressed through a humble demeanor. A heart full of sinful vice will have an altogether different manifestation: “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth” (James 3:16).

James adds that the kind of self-proclaimed wisdom that he is confronting is “not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (James 3:15). The “wisdom” of the one filled with “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” does not originate with God. False wisdom is obtained through the ways of the world, is devoid of the Holy Spirit, but derived from the flesh, and dictated by underlings of the devil. There is no place in the life of a follower of Christ to be attempting to obtain “wisdom” from any of these sources. But James is crystal clear as to where true wisdom is found: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). The Lord grants wisdom that possess a host of inner character qualities that informs and influences the way that life is lived before God and in relationship with others around us: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe