Catching wisdom from above...

Resurrection Wisdom in a Perishing World – Part 6

Who is wise and understanding among you?

(James 3:13-18, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, April 13, 2014)

[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Not everything that looks spiritual is wise. We need guides in the church that are able to help us to distinguish between the demonic and the godly. James directs our attention to the fruits of true wisdom. Real godliness does not demand attention. Men and women who possess genuine Christian understanding quietly display their faith with good conduct.

[14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. [15] This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

“How can a young man keep his way pure?” The psalmist answers, “By guarding it according to Your Word.” It turns out that the purity that the Lord speaks of in Psalm 119 is a great challenge for both young and old. Where is this jealousy coming from among Christian leaders? Why the urge to boast? Haven't we already decided that we would only boast in the cross? And is there any good reason for Christian teachers to be false to the truth? We are a part of “the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15) When we have arrogance and deceit, our spirituality is “unspiritual, demonic.” This will lead to “disorder and every vile practice.” This so-called “wisdom” characterizes the enemies of the cross.

[17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. [18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

There is another way. The Lord Jesus sends forth true wisdom to the church from His throne on high. How can we tell the “wisdom from above” when we see it? James gives us seven signs of the wisdom of Jesus. Wisdom from above is:

1. Dedicated to the moral purity in the church as a matter of first importance,
2. Committed to pursuing purity in as peaceful a way as possible,
3. Mild, not just by personality, but because of faith in the Lord's promises,
4. Teachable and humble in the face of honest and fair reasoning,
5. Ready to give mercy and kindness to others because of the gospel,
6. Fair with everyone, and finally,
7. Sincere, not a fake mask like that used in ancient drama.
   This kind of true wisdom from Jesus will yield a harvest of righteousness among those who know the peace of God. We can live out this wisdom with the confidence of those who know about the fruitfulness of God. God is reconciling people to Himself through the blood of His Son. We have no need to panic in pursuit of purity. The Lord will use us as He gives His wisdom from above to us.

Put the Word to Work: Who is wise and understanding among you? Spend time with Jesus and with those who follow Him. Religion is catchy either way. We need the wisdom from above.

Fill out Your church with wisdom from above.