Embodying True Wisdom: A Call to Righteousness
Summary
In our journey through the book of James, we have arrived at a pivotal point where we are called to examine the nature of true wisdom and its manifestation in our lives. As followers of Christ, we are each endowed with a unique sphere of influence within our community. Our connection to Jesus, the source of living water, empowers us to bear fruit in the midst of a world parched by human wisdom. We are not isolated in this endeavor; rather, we are united through our church, each one of us tasked with the mission to bear fruit through the wisdom God grants us by His Holy Spirit.
The passage from James chapter 3 verses 13 to 18 serves as a cornerstone for our understanding of wisdom. It begins with an exhortation that true faith is demonstrated through wise works done in humility. This wisdom is not characterized by bitter jealousy or selfish ambition, which are earthly, unspiritual, and even demonic in nature. Such attitudes lead to disorder and vile practices. Instead, the wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. This wisdom fosters a harvest of righteousness sown in peace by those who make peace.
Our calling is to engage in eternal works through God's eternal wisdom rather than being ensnared by earthly works through earthly wisdom. We must be vigilant not to conceal the truth but to shine as beacons of God's wisdom, allowing others to see the fruit of our connection to Christ. As we sow peace and righteousness, we trust that God will reap a harvest within our church and beyond.
Key Takeaways:
- True wisdom is demonstrated not by our words alone but by our actions, which are performed in the meekness of wisdom. Meekness is not weakness; it is power under control, the deliberate choice to place ourselves under God's authority and allow His wisdom to guide our actions. This is the essence of living out our faith with integrity and authenticity. [41:31]
- Earthly wisdom, characterized by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, is antithetical to the wisdom that comes from God. When we pursue our own agendas or seek personal glory, we are aligning ourselves with values that are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. As believers, we must reject such motivations and instead pursue the pure and peaceable wisdom that comes from above. [56:34]
- The wisdom from above leads to a multitude of positive outcomes, including purity, peace, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, and sincerity. These qualities are not just ideals; they are practical expressions of a life lived in harmony with God's will. When we embody these attributes, we become living testimonies of God's transformative power. [01:04:45]
- Our mission as a church is not limited to filling our pews; it is to reach out to the entire world with the message of salvation. We must be ambitious for God's kingdom, striving to make disciples of all nations. This ambition is not for our own glory but for the glory of God, who desires all people to come to repentance and knowledge of the truth. [51:11]
- As we sow seeds of the Gospel, we must remember that it is not by our own efforts that people come to Christ, but by the work of the Holy Spirit. Our role is to faithfully share the message of peace with God, trusting that He will draw people to Himself. In doing so, we participate in the divine work of bringing souls into the kingdom and cultivating a harvest of righteousness. [01:12:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- James 3:13-18
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the characteristics of wisdom that comes from above, as described in James 3:17?
2. According to James 3:14-16, what are the negative outcomes of earthly wisdom?
3. How does James 3:13 define the demonstration of true wisdom and understanding?
4. What does the phrase "meekness of wisdom" mean in the context of James 3:13? [43:36]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James contrast earthly wisdom with wisdom from above? What is the significance of this contrast for believers? [47:49]
2. How can the qualities of wisdom from above (pure, peaceable, gentle, etc.) practically manifest in a believer's daily life? [01:04:45]
3. What does it mean to have "selfish ambition" and "bitter jealousy" in one's heart, and why are these attitudes considered unspiritual and demonic? [48:33]
4. How does the concept of "meekness" relate to the idea of being under God's control and authority? [43:36]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have been operating out of selfish ambition or bitter jealousy? How can you shift your focus to align with the wisdom from above? [48:33]
2. Think about your sphere of influence. How can you be a source of living water and bear fruit in your community, as described in the sermon? [38:06]
3. In what ways can you demonstrate the qualities of wisdom from above (pure, peaceable, gentle, etc.) in your interactions with others this week? Be specific. [01:04:45]
4. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions are guided by God's wisdom rather than earthly wisdom? What practical steps can you take to seek God's wisdom daily? [47:49]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of sowing peace and righteousness. What are some specific actions you can take to sow peace in your relationships and community? [01:12:47]
6. How can you actively participate in the mission of the church to reach out to the world with the message of salvation? Identify one person you can share the Gospel with this week. [51:11]
7. Reflect on the idea of "meekness of wisdom." How can you practice meekness in your daily life, allowing God's authority to guide your actions? [43:36]
Devotional
Day 1: Meekness: Power Under God's Authority
True wisdom is not about the volume of one's voice or the loftiness of one's words; it is about the actions that spring from a heart of humility. Meekness, often misunderstood as weakness, is in fact a powerful state of being where one's strength is tempered by submission to God's will. It is the quiet confidence that comes from knowing one's actions are aligned with the divine, and it is in this alignment that true faith is demonstrated. The meekness of wisdom is a deliberate choice to live under God's authority, allowing His wisdom to guide every decision and action. This is the essence of integrity and authenticity in the Christian walk, where one's life becomes a testament to the transformative power of God's wisdom.
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13)
Reflection: How can you practice meekness in a situation where you usually assert your own strength or wisdom? [41:31]
Day 2: Rejecting Earthly Ambitions for Divine Purpose
The allure of earthly wisdom, with its bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, can be a powerful force, leading one down a path of discord and strife. However, as believers, the call is to reject these unspiritual and demonic influences and instead embrace the wisdom that comes from above. This divine wisdom is not self-serving but seeks to serve others and glorify God. It is a wisdom that is pure, peaceable, and characterized by good fruits. By pursuing this higher wisdom, believers can avoid the chaos that earthly ambitions bring and instead cultivate a life that reflects God's love and righteousness.
"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth." (James 3:14)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you can replace selfish ambition with selfless service? [56:34]
Day 3: Living Testimonies of God's Transformative Power
The wisdom that comes from above is not merely an abstract concept; it is a practical guide for daily living. It manifests in purity, peace, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, and sincerity—qualities that are tangible expressions of a life in harmony with God's will. When these attributes are embodied, they become a beacon of God's transformative power in the world. This divine wisdom enables believers to navigate life's complexities with grace and to have a positive impact on those around them, thereby testifying to the reality of God's kingdom here on earth.
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (James 3:17)
Reflection: Which attribute of divine wisdom do you need to cultivate more in your life, and how can you begin that process today? [01:04:45]
Day 4: Ambitious for God's Kingdom
The mission of the church extends far beyond its walls; it is a call to reach the entire world with the message of salvation. This mission requires a holy ambition, not for personal gain or glory, but for the expansion of God's kingdom. Believers are called to make disciples of all nations, reflecting God's desire for all to come to repentance and knowledge of the truth. This ambition is fueled by a passion for God's glory and a commitment to the Great Commission, leading to a life of purpose and eternal significance.
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the Great Commission within your own community this week? [51:11]
Day 5: Trusting the Holy Spirit in Gospel Sowing
As believers sow the seeds of the Gospel, it is vital to remember that it is not by human effort that hearts are transformed, but by the work of the Holy Spirit. The role of the believer is to faithfully share the message of peace with God, trusting that He will draw people to Himself. This divine partnership allows believers to participate in the sacred work of bringing souls into the kingdom and cultivating a harvest of righteousness. It is a reminder that the growth of God's kingdom is ultimately in His hands, and believers are simply vessels through which His grace flows.
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can share the message of peace with someone this week, trusting the Holy Spirit to work through you? [01:12:05]
Quotes
1) "True faith is demonstrated through wise works done in humility. True faith is demonstrated through wise works done in meekness or humility, voluntarily ordering ourselves under God in his wisdom." [47:49] (Download | )
2) "We are to live out our faith by our works and we do that in the meekness of wisdom. It is power under control, the deliberate choice to place ourselves under God's authority." [43:36] (Download | )
3) "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. These are practical expressions of a life lived in harmony with God's will." [01:04:45] (Download | )
4) "Engage in eternal works through God's eternal wisdom rather than earthly works through earthly wisdom. When we do, we sow peace and righteousness, and God will reap a harvest for us." [01:12:47] (Download | )
5) "We have a jealous God because the Earth is the Lord's and everything in it. His jealousy is not bitter; it is for our good, deeply desiring us to come to a saving relationship in Him." [50:27] (Download | )
6) "God is an ambitious God. He desires all people to come to repentance. That ambition should become our jealousy and our ambition, to see every person we come across come to know Jesus as Savior." [51:11] (Download | )
7) "A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Our role is to faithfully share the message of peace with God, trusting that He will draw people to Himself." [01:12:05] (Download | )
8) "When we follow worldly wisdom, we see disorder, rious behavior, and every kind of evil within Christ's Church. True faith does not engage in earthly works through earthly wisdom." [01:04:01] (Download | )
9) "If we want to see God reap a harvest at Hyde Park Baptist Church, then we must sow peace. It is no mistake that the steps to peace with God are how we bring souls into the kingdom." [01:11:28] (Download | )
10) "The wisdom from above leads to many positive outgrowths, including purity, peace, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, and sincerity. These qualities are not just ideals; they are practical expressions of a life lived in harmony with God's will." [01:04:45] (Download | )
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