James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
“Wisdom”: James’ Jewish audience recognized this as the understanding and practical skill that were necessary to live life to God’s glory. It was not a wisdom of philosophical speculation, but the wisdom contained in the pure and peaceable absolutes of God’s will revealed in His Word and lived out. Only such divine wisdom enables believers to be joyous and submissive in the trials of life.
“Ask of God”: This command is a necessary part of the believer’s prayer life (Job 28:12-23; Prov. 3:5-7; 1 Thess. 5:17). God intends that trials will drive believers to greater dependency on Him, by showing them their own inadequacy. As with all His riches, God has wisdom in abundance (Rom. 11:33), available for those who seek it.
This verse is not a blanket promise of wisdom for any situation. In the context of life’s trials, it probably speaks of the believer being granted;
(1) Wisdom as to the reason for his trials; and
(2) Wisdom to endure them.
Wisdom is a gift from God. Knowledge is accumulated learning. The best way to grow in the Lord then, would be to pray that God will give you the gift of wisdom and understanding. Ask God for the Holy Spirit to be your Teacher and Guide. Then study the Word of God, and grow in the Word, and in experience.
God is very willing to give good gifts to His children who ask. When we ask, we must believe that we receive, and we shall have what we ask. God does not just indiscriminately pour out wisdom on everyone. We must pray and ask, and then we will receive it.
God is not like man that would remind you constantly that he had given you a gift. God attaches no strings to the things He gives us. He gives them to us, because He loves us.
● Jesus Christ’s disciples are to exhibit a new depth of righteousness...
● HATRED:
Hatred for others or God is associated with human sin. Scripture also emphasises God’s hatred of sin and evil. Believers are commanded to love those who hate them
□ teachableness:
A quality in those who desire to learn, present in the disciples of Jesus Christ and seen in Christ’s relationship to his Father. Unwillingness to receive the truth leads to spiritual darkness
□ double-mindedness:
Indicative of insincerity and hypocrisy. God requires wholeheartedness and sincerity from all people, ☛☛both in their dealings with others and in their worship of Him☚☚
READ MORE:
■ Living in the last days...
#EndTimes: Endurance is a hallmark of true Christian profession (Mt 10:22)
■ Saying that we have the mind of Christ just means that He has revealed to us His will...
■ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself...
■ Milk drinking christians, you have not fed your spirit with the Word that would have made you
☛stronger☚ ...
■ Faith without works is dead & works without love empty, but letting Spirit take over works compassion for all and passion for God above all.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the[only] Way [to God] and the [real]Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
16 “For God so [greatly] loved anddearly prized the world, that He[even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values].
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed[in Me] and has been baptized will be saved [from the penalty of God’s wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned.
5 Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.
12 “Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness).
Share the Sufferings of Christ
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. 13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy. 14 If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify]. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others; 16 but if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a [a]Christian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name. 17 For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is difficult for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the godless and the sinner?19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.
16 Therefore repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war andfight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment]. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear andheed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes[the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the [a]hidden manna, and I will give him a [b]white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’
13 But the one who endures andbears up [under suffering] to the end will be saved.
James 2:17-19 (Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.)
17 So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].
18 But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].” 19 You believe that [a]God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]!
Footnotes:
- James 2:19 A reference to the Shema, the Jewish confession of faith.
Return, O backsliding children...
14
‘Return, O faithless children [of the twelve tribes],’ says the Lord,
‘For I am a master andhusband to you,
And I will take you [not as a nation, but individually]—one from a city and two from a [tribal] family—
And I will bring you to Zion.’
15 “Then [in the final time] I will give you [spiritual] shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and [true] understanding. 16 It will be in those days when you have [repented and] multiplied and increased in the land,” says the Lord, “they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ It will not come to mind, nor will they [seriously] remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again [for instead of the ark, which symbolized My presence, I will be present]. 17 At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the Lord,’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name (renown) of the Lord; and they will not walk anymore after the stubbornness of their [own] evil heart. 18 In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and [a]they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance.
19 “Then I said,
‘How [gloriously and honorably] I would set you among My children
And give you a pleasant land—a wonderful heritage,
The most beautiful inheritance of the nations!’
And I said, ‘You shall call Me, My Father
And not turn away from following Me.’
RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Scripture identifies a close link between righteousness and faith. Part of “being in a right relationship with God” is believing and trusting in him. The NT does not see faith simply in terms of moral righteousness, but also in terms of a living trusting relationship with God. Scripture affirms the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ in all their activity.
