James 3:13
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.
I love the way this week’s lesson begins. If we continue with the theme that James is addressing those who would be teachers. James isn’t looking at their pedigree. He’s not checking their resumes or their scholarship. James is checking character. How are you treating others? How do others regard you? Are you humble? Are you kind? James is a fruit inspector…
Matthew 7: 16-17a
16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way, they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17a A good tree produces good fruit…
Biyn - Heb. - To have discernment, insight, and understanding. To have discretion. Example:
1Kings 3:9-10
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
Last week we discussed the word: ‘teacher’. We discovered that, based on the Hebrew train of thought, the qualifications of a teacher had much more to do with character than with scholarship. Wisdom, according to this same Hebraic train of thought, comes exclusively from ...God. Let that sink in…
Additionally, if you were regarded as a teacher, you found yourself in esteemed company. None other than Joseph, David, Solomon, and Ezra were labeled with this same Hebrew word: Biyn or … ‘teacher’. More than anything else, character mattered.
James 3:14-16 (The Message)
14-16 Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
Those who would elevate themselves based on their credentials might not be qualified. Those who see their social status as their qualification for godliness might not meet the standard. Those whose money and material wealth may make them appear to be ‘Blessed’ actually might not be. While none of those things disqualify you for salvation or for the call of God, they don’t mark you as ‘qualified’ for leadership. In fact, what might seem wise might actually reek of ungodliness.
James 3:17-18
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.
What impression do you leave with people? Why do they think so of you? Are you a peacemaker?, a fence mender? Can you swallow your tongue? What about your pride? Beloved, these are the things that will qualify you as a shepherd in God’s house.
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
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James 5:7-12
7 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
How many of you are eagerly awaiting the Lord’s return? This is not a rhetorical question. In your day to day life, it can be difficult to ‘look ahead’. We are programmed for the long haul, a long life. We’re normally not thinking of the imminent return of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The New Testament can be parsed into four parts: 1. The Gospels and the Book of Acts, 2. The Pauline Epistles, 3. The General Epistles. While the writer of Hebrews is unknown, he is generally thought to be Paul or someone heavily influenced by Paul. The remaining books are written by four authors: James and Jude; the half brothers of Jesus and Peter and John. Because the writers are Jewish and their primary audience is Jewish, you discover a real focus on the apocalyptic, the ‘end of days’.
This focus on the apocalyptic was not meant to frighten believers, but to encourage them. In the case of James, he encouraged his readers to persevere in the face of great distress. They were hundreds of miles from home, isolated in a strange land from any familiarity. The most encouraging words for a believer were, “The Messiah will soon return.” No after what obstacle lies before you or what terror lies behind, No matter what you are going through, Jesus will bring you through. No matter the tragedy or the test, Jesus with you is more than all of Creation against you. Times can be hard. I can personally attest to that. But in hard times, we can rest assured that God sees our distress and responds. We are never forgotten. God loves us and will comfort us in our greatest time of need. Be encouraged.
Selah
wb
Isaiah 40:29-31
29
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who has no might, He increases power.
30
Even youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
Will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired.
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