August 16, 2018 – James 3:13

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 3:13.

Have you ever longed for wisdom?  Wondering how to achieve wisdom, and know all the answers?  If you have, you are not alone.  You won’t find the answers by getting ‘umpteen’ degrees.  First, you must find the source of wisdom.  Just as you can’t find your favorite flavor of ice cream at the shoe store or in the toy section of Walmart, we can’t find wisdom in the world.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.  Psalm 111:10.  Fear is also known as being reverent to God — taking God’s Commands seriously.  When Jesus came, He shortened the list of commands from many to two.  The two commands are to Love God with all our hearts and to Love our neighbor as much as we Love ourselves.  

Next, we want to know that wisdom can really be ours.  James 1:5 – If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

How do we recognize God’s Wisdom?  It is pure and loves peace.  It is gentle at all time, full of mercy and good deeds.  It isn’t ‘put on,’ coming from the heart.  God’s wisdom helps us to choose to care for others. Praying for others, helping others, planting seeds of peace.  And our peace ‘garden of the heart’ will grow into a harvest of righteousness!

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. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18