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Post by Admin on Sept 16, 2018 9:47:23 GMT -6
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 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. 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.English Standard Version (ESV)
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JB
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Post by JB on Sept 23, 2018 12:03:24 GMT -6
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
I am fascinated by the way James connects Wisdom and Understanding to Good Living, Deeds, and Humility. He couldn’t have been any clearer: If you lack the last three, you don’t have the first two.
One reason this correlation fascinates me is that it runs so counter to the way our society thinks of wisdom. The sage of our age is the TV or movie or sports star, the politician, the pop musician, etc. Magazines and books publish quips and quotes from well-known voices like these. Hollywood celebrities speak out on issues of politics, economics, fairness, goodness, and social justice, and society and media alike give those opinions undue credence.
And while each of those categories may contain some good people who are wise, the indiscretions of these groups in general are famously known.
The specific problem James seems to be countering in vv. 14-15 isn’t foreign to us either? The self-acclaimed pundits in James’ church were saying that it was wise to carry around “Bitter Envy” and “Selfish-Ambition.”
In modern terms, they would have said things like: “Look out for #1.” “You can’t love someone else if you don’t love yourself!” “You’ve gotta do what’s best for you.” “Don’t just stand there and let him treat you like that!” “You have to put your best foot forward.” “You need to teach your kids self-respect and develop their self-esteem.” “Man, she’s a real go-getter; nothing’s gonna stop her!” “If you want success, you must eat it, breathe it, do whatever it takes to achieve it!” “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” “I’m going to sue you!”
We can’t go long before we hear someone talking about “paybacks,” advising someone to leave an undesirable relationship, finding a way to one-up someone else, etc.
Winning is huge in our culture. America is drunk on competitive sports and is obsessed with a perverted form of “equality” that tries to ensure everyone receives the same results rather than the same opportunities.
James is clear: envy and self-centered ambition are the enemies of genuine wisdom. “Looking out for yourself” and “standing up for your rights” block access to true wisdom.
That is because heavenly wisdom is itself has characteristics like being peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial and sincere.
3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. Bitter envy, selfish ambition, and boasting are the opposite of Wisdom, Understanding, Good Living, Good Deeds, and Humility that enable true wisdom. He is essentially telling us to check what we believe and teach. If they aren’t composed of the components godly wisdom, James essentially says “shut up and keep them to yourself.”
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
“Disorder and every evil practice.” Could there be a better description of 21st Century America?
“Pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.“ Could there be a better description of everything modern American culture is not?
Be very, very careful about what you consider to be wise.
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elacey
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Post by elacey on Sept 25, 2018 18:45:25 GMT -6
Who is wise among you?
You can show it by your good life built on humility and thankfulness.
There are those who play the game for selfish ambition. These people are bitter inside with envy. There is no peace for them.
True wisdom is humble, passive, empathetic and peace-loving.
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John R
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Post by John R on Oct 5, 2018 5:07:54 GMT -6
Brothers and Sisters
I have taken a bit of a break from posting while recovering from my second hip replacement but "Praise God," I am feeling good and have started slowly resuming normal activities. Although posting here now may be late, I wanted to weigh in:
"...By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." James continues to point out that our faith in Christ Jesus is displayed in us through works. Clarifying that the "works" are not a contrived personal effort, rather they are an "evidence," of a true rebirth of spirit into Christ that is displayed without "self promotion." Wisdom defined, as JB points out, on God's terms not by our fleshly measure bound up in self promotion and jealousy.
Until we fully grasp who Jesus was and meditate on the magnitude of His selfless, loving sacrifice on the cross, we will not display works that are "from above" and "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." James reveals the necessity to examine our "efforts" to show the world we are Christians. If our motivation is rooted in "people pleasing," rather than an outpouring of a grateful heart, our works are dead. Without selflessness (love) our works are but a "resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Cor 13:1) If we are truly "in Christ" our lives will reflect his character without contrivance or pride but they will be the natural outflow of a reborn spirit. In other words, God alone prepares the works for us to walk in (Ps 85:13), therefore, if our lives reflect Christ we (in His righteousness)will take up our crosses (Mt 16:24, Luke 9:23) and perform those works for His glory alone.
Praise Him! John
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