The Letter of James - 3:13-18
Charles Vincent
The Letter of James • Sermon • Submitted
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Where does true wisdom come from?
13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
James is all about proof. He wants proof.
If you are wise, prove it. Don’t just have a mental assent, let us see it lived out.
If you think you are wise and understand God’s ways, James says, “prove it by living an honorable life.”
This reminds me of
show me your faith without deeds
Now he describes what he means, by “doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
Let's take a look at a couple of different translations of this verse.
13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him demonstrate it by his good way of life, by actions done in the humility that grows out of wisdom.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
Humility of wisdom
Humility of wisdom
It seems that James is equating true wisdom with humility.
Remember, humility isn't thinking less of yourself. Instead, it's thinking of yourself less. Putting others before yourself.
James 3:13
James shows us that true wisdom is demonstrated when God's commands are reflected in deeds. Ultimately, true wisdom has the importance of humility and good works.
21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
True wisdom, true religion
James is continuing with the idea that one can claim something, but if his lifestyle doesn't reflect that claim, it is not genuine.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
Our actions should reflect our beliefs.
Our actions should reflect our beliefs.
If you claim to be wise but do not live a life that reflects good behavior, well then, you're fooling yourself.
The basis one can demonstrate wisdom is through good conduct. True wisdom produces two things, good works, and humility.
James is communicating that wisdom is a quality we all should seek to attain.
Humility isn't typically prized by in today's sociaty, just as it wasn't in the time James wrote this letter. Generally, we don't associate a strong and confident person with humility. I believe that is, in part, because we don't have a correct view of humility.
Our humility should come from the understanding of our position in relation to a glorious God, sinful next to holy.
James is all about proof. He wants proof.
When we see God for who he really is next to ourselves, who we really are, not the person we pretend to be, but the real "us." We should understand that we're not as special as we might think. We have nothing to boast about.
We should be humbled that we cannot earn or achieve acceptance with God. We can't.
This humility before God should flow out toward others.
1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.
16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
The world, the flesh, and the devil.
Think of it this way, you are a car, and your life is a road. We are on a journey.
Break down,
need to be adjusted,
need repair,
new washed,
If your wise, prove it. Don’t just keep a mental assent, let’s see it lived out.
need gas,
the road is bumpy,
the road is uphill
the road is downhill
get lost
show up late
the list goes on.
Here is the question.
Who is driving you?
Who is driving you?
True wisdom? Wisdom from above?
Or worldly wisdom?
Attitudes and proper actions will prove wisdom and knowledge
False wisdom = self-focused
false wisdom is being led by satan
false wisdom leads to pride in ourselves
What wisdom are we allowing to drive us?
if one claims to be wise and live in contrast to this reality, bitter envy, selfish ambition, they are fooling themselves.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
Good gifts from above, true wisdom is a gift from above.
Good gifts from above, true wisdom is a gift from above.
Earthly is the opposite of heaven
Jealousy can have a neutral or negative connotation. Here, because it led with the word bitter, this word takes on a negative sense, referring to a self-oriented desire to possess things that are not really ours.
This is the wisdom of God. It is ‘the wisdom that is from above’ (v. 17). It is wisdom that springs from God and pertains to God.
Like true faith, true wisdom can be identified by the quality of life it produces.
What is this wisdom like? It's similar to the fruit of the spirit. James says:
Wisdom produces purity.
• It is ‘pure.’ This means it is free from all the things that characterize false wisdom.
innocence and moral blamelessness, untainted, untouched
Wisdom from above is first pure, all qualities that follow are specific dimensions to this purity.
true wisdom is peaceable, considerate, open to reason -- the opposite of envious, selfish, and ambitious person driven by earthy wisdom.
• It is also ‘peaceable.’ It delights in peace and promotes peace.
picks up on what it is like in a community without peace-loving members. We'll get to that next week.
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, James says, “prove it by living an honorable life.” Now he describes what he means, by “doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Those who are gentle and willing to yield are the ones who live peaceably.
• It is ‘gentle.’ It is not combative and abrasive. It is reasonable and courteous.
• It is ‘willing to yield.’ It is open to reason. It doesn’t insist on its rights and its own way.
What is meant is not a weak, credulous gullibility, but a willing deference to others when unalterable theological or moral principles are not involved.
Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000), 176.
• It is ‘full of mercy,’ that is, it shows compassion to those who are in need.
• It is ‘full of … good fruits’. That means it is rich in good deeds.
• It is ‘without partiality.’ It does not show favoritism.
• It is ‘without hypocrisy.’ It is sincere and genuine. It doesn’t put on a front.
18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Righteousness is right conduct, living by the will of God
What is driving you, divine wisdom vs. worldly wisdom?
social ills lead back to jealousy and envy
double-mindedness = divided loyalty
jealous and selfish attitudes manifest themselves in disunity and bitter disputes
the common thread is peace
demonstrate true wisdom in humility and good works
Doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
The good works
the opposite of peace is envy, selfishness, and disorder
wisdom is an applied knowledge
it has to do with conduct as much as it has to do with intellect
gentleness of wisdom
if you're wise, I should be able to see it by your actions and by your meekness.
Earthly wisdom =
Heavenly wisdom =
look in your heart
wisdom is about action and character
wanting peace
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
Nothing you desire can compare with it.
value wisdom
ask for wisdom
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
James is calling believers to create an atmosphere of peace.
James is calling believers to create an atmosphere of peace.
Humility of wisdom
Humility of wisdom