We are looking at the book of James, a Bible author who told it as it is. His teachings challenge the reader to act on and not only hear the Word of God.
In the last few messages we have learned about perseverance under trials in order to become mature and complete. What happens when we are under trial, in other words what is the purpose of a trial? We are to learn from it so we could be changed. A trial is usually the Lord’s way to test whether we have listened when He has spoken and also a way to get our attention if we persist in disobedience.
In the context of this passage follows the next passage in James 1:5-8: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
According to the Dictionary.reference.com wisdom is “knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgement as to action; rationality, discernment or insight”. We therefore need the wisdom we ask from God to have insight into what the Lord tries to teach us - the change He tries to work in us. In the previous messages on this topic we have seen that the Lord works constantly in us to change us into perfect unselfishness so we could serve people the way He does.
The wisdom we would ask of God therefore would be to understand and have insight into what He is like – His perfection. The double mindedness that James mentioned has to do with our decision whether we really want to know what God is like and expects of us, for this will demand change, and change is going to require sacrifice. Holiness and obedience, and the resulting trials to establish it in us, involves sacrifice of selfish and materialistic living and we need wisdom how to make it work in us. The way the Lord ‘works in us to will and to act according to his good purpose’ (Philippians 2:12) is by teaching us what He wants from us. This we receive through messages from various sources and from the Bible. Whilst we hear the message the Lord speaks to us personally through the message, giving us instructions to change. We are then tested by trial to see whether we are going to apply what we have learned (to will and to act according to his good purpose), such as the example of my trial that I have mentioned in the recent message.
The wisdom we need from God is meant to discern what we have to do in order to pass the test, as well as wisdom to decide whether we actually want to change or pass the test. If the test is for example to cut out television in order to spend more time with the Lord and in His service, we need wisdom to make the right decision in this respect. When we receive the wisdom, we need to be decisive whether we actually want to do it. The wisdom we receive will reveal to us the advantages and disadvantages of our decision, as well as the consequences thereof.
What would the consequence be if we are so busy with our materialistic life, packed with entertainment, that we don’t find time for obedience? What would be the wise thing to do? If we ask wisdom from the Lord to do the right thing, we must be ready to accept His wisdom, whether we like it or not, in other words we must have our mind made up about it. We still want to be in the world, but actually know we should serve the Lord fully, yet we find our comfortable life so pleasant, although we would really like to have our rewards in heaven... Do you get my point? The Lord looks at us, shaking His head saying: “Make up your mind girl; I need to know what you want so I can give it to you.”
Lord, time is short. Please give us wisdom do live fully for you.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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