Got Wisdom?
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I want to welcome you into our study in the Book of James - please turn with me to James 1.
In all of the ways that Paul is a deep theologian, - writing Romans, and letters to the churches throughout describing what the Gospel is, how to understand theologically the nature of God and who we should be there - as much as that Is Paul, James is a practical - life sciences leader.
He doesn’t mention Jesus’s name very often, but really tries to help us figure out how to live our lives in a way that honors God.
As wen study this book together, I believe that God has planned to do a work in this church. If we can apply the instructions given here - I believe that our lives will be changed.
If we can wrestle through the truths that are presented here, and be obedient to the instructions given to us here, I believe everything about us will change. I believe that God will be Glorified. I believe that we will be equipped. I believe that we will share the Gospel..
The incredible thing about this book, is that if we do take heed of it, it will cause a measurable difference in who we are as a church. We will be able to see and feel the difference. Because this book is very practical. And there is a lot of instruction. 108 verses. 60 instructions.
James leans very heavily into two source texts for the wisdom that he shares - The book of proverbs and the Sermon on the mount, and both of those are as well, very practical.
Last week we looked at verses 1-4. James started his letter very quickly, jumping right in from saying Hi I’m James, to Consider it joy when you experience various trials.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Leading us into this more mature Christian life, where every day, and with each thing that we endure, we become more like Christ and become complete in that.
Good.
We are picking up there, going into verse 5.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord,
8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5 is one of the great promises of God in scripture. And it stands alone, you can pull this one out of context, it is complete in itself - a complete thought, a complete sentence. If we understand it, if we practice it, if we apply it to our situation and our lives, it is true.
You can use James 1:5 in any situation.
You can quote it in any circumstance.
You can read it all on its own.
One thing we should understand is that the thoughts we looked at last week are tied to the thoughts we are seeing here.
Consider it great joy when you face trials of various kinds, so that it causes maturity and you would lack nothing, but if you lack wisdom.
We are connecting the conversation, but saying that wisdom doesn’t come from those trials.
We don’t go to the school of hard knocks for wisdom.
We don’t get wisdom from any school at all.
In fact - if education and hardship was all that we needed, it would seem like we would be getting along a lot better off now than ever.. and that’s obviously not the case.
But If any
Now if any of you.
A little bit of sarcasm here - as if anyone could say “nope, I got plenty of that”
It is an encouragement for all of us to enter into this next part - to ask God for the wisdom that we lack.
What is wisdom:
Wisdom:
Wisdom is not simply education or intellect.
It is not simply a matter of the mind.
It about morality and behavior. It is a spiritual thing.
We believe and so we behave.
The wise man is the one who hears the words and puts them into action.
“Wisdom is Godly insight applied to the living of Life” -Allistar Begg
13 Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are his.
Wisdom is spiritual and practical.
We should ask for wisdom when we feel inadequate for the task at hand.
We should feel inadequate for the task at hand pretty often as believers - your best on your own is probably not good enough.
And - being tied to verse 2-4, wisdom really is necessary for christian living, because we are going to have trials!
As we face trials - we learn to value wisdom.
Going through stuff is one thing...
Going through stuff as a fool is much worse.
We see this with kids and teenagers a lot.
But I also see it in grown men in construction.
And I chuckle, because there are so many people that decide to do things the hardest way possible.
You have to get to a point where you don't believe that you already know everything.
Whew - God, you were right to call me in on this one.
Ill take it from here.
That is the arrogance we get.
And usually we can see that in others, but can we see it in ourselves?
Can we see those areas of our lives where we are arrogant - where we tread through our problems like an oaf?
WE need wisdom. James is kind to us to not beat us on the head with it. He offers it as a suggestion. But if you are walking through this fallen world, and you are living and breathing, you are going to go through stuff. And you need wisdom.
The world isn’t looking for wisdom any more.
We live in a world where you can find the answer to all of lifes problems right there on the internet and everything on the internet is absolutely true.
Wisdom is knowing how to live God’s way in God’s world.
How do we get it:
If you lack wisdom, ask for it.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
9 Lord God, let your promise to my father David now come true. For you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
10 Now grant me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people, for who can judge this great people of yours?”
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart, and you have not requested riches, wealth, or glory, or for the life of those who hate you, and you have not even requested long life, but you have requested for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may judge my people over whom I have made you king,
12 wisdom and knowledge are given to you. I will also give you riches, wealth, and glory, unlike what was given to the kings who were before you, or will be given to those after you.”
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.
3 In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
God gives.
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
God pours out wisdom generously.
He doesn’t want us to be without it.
He gives it.
Generously and ungrudgingly.
When we are going through stuff - his answer is not to say “tough luck” or “get over it” or even walk it off.
Exalting Jesus In James God Is Sovereign over Our Trials (1:2–12)
“Draw near to Me, and ask Me to help you understand why this is happening and to give you perspective on what you are going through and to walk alongside you as the One who possesses all knowledge, eternal perspective, and perfect experience.”
God is the same every day. And he Gives wisdom.
But we have to ask.
And that can be really simple.
God, I need wisdom. Please help me.
Heavenly father, I need wisdom, please..
Lord God, please give me wisdom.
As with honor and respect, ask giving Glory due to him, But ask with confidence.
Hebrews 10:22
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.
What would keep us from it:
God gives - except in a couple of circumstances.
one we know from here, one we know from elsewhere.
Pride. God resists the proud.
Doubt.
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
JB Phillips paraphrased this to say: He must ask in sincere faith without secret doubts as to whether he really wants God’s help or not.
God knows what you want.
He knows what is in your heart.
And if you doubt in the wanting, or doubt in whether or not you will be receiving… God will withhold it.
Oh, you really want to do this on your own.
We have to ask honestly, without doubt. Doubt that we want, doubt that we will receive, and doubt that what we receive will be good.
If we doubt, he says we will be tossed.
Driven by the wind.
External forces will control what we do.
Learn to value wisdom:
10 Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 For wisdom is better than jewels, and nothing desirable can equal it.
Growing in wisdom - growing in trust of the Lord.
As we see God show up in this, we learn to rely on it.
And that is a phenomenal place to be. I don’t have to have it figured out.
God does.
I don’t have to have answers, God does.
I just have to ask.
Conclusion:
We may be complete in a lot of things, because we have been built up by trials and tribulations. We might be getting along alright. And we can do that without wisdom.
But when you realize that you lack wisdom. When you can’t put it all together.
Stop and ask God.
Wisdom is necessary for leading a life that honors God.
But as you do that, check yourself.