The Letter of James (Part 3)
Grace Apologetics 101
January 31, 2022
Brent Hartford
James 1:5-8
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.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
WISDOM FOR THE MOMENT
I will reiterate previous points more than I probably should, but I do so in an attempt to keep the focus on the practical nature of James’ writing.
Again, the Letter of James is not an evangelistic letter but is a practical one. Practical in the sense that it addresses Jewish believers specifically in and around the time of the first Christian persecution, and how they should stand in the midst of the trials that had befallen them by their own Jewish kin.
Remember, the persecution that is tied to James' letter and to the events of Stephan’s death was at the hands of Jewish leadership, the Sanhedrin, most likely the Sadducees, not the Roman occupation.
This letter was one to encourage personal peace and perseverance in a time of great persecution for the Church at Jerusalem. It was a letter about living for the day in the here and now. There was never questioning of the Jewish believer's salvation, for James knew the words of his half-brother (Jesus) personally. He know the promise they received upon believing was eternally secure. Those to whom James is writing were continually referred to as “Brethren.” Matter of fact 11 times out of the 5 chapter letter the word “brethren” is used. It is not a mystery as to who he was calling brethren. It was Jewish believers in Jesus as Messiah.
MANY OF US ARE LACKING
However, now James brings up something else that many of us are lacking… WISDOM!
He goes on to say that if any of us lack “wisdom” we are to ask of God for HIS wisdom. Know this... James is not referring to all wisdom in all things, but rather specific wisdom. Wisdom for the moment. We all have those moments. Moments when we are pressed into a hard spot needing to make decisions that we really do not know how to make.
Vs 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.
James is not referring to any wisdom or all wisdom, but more precisely specific wisdom. Wisdom for the given moment at hand. Whatever that may be.
When asked of God, He will give that specific wisdom liberally. Meaning in large, boutifully, and in generous amounts. Additionally, as He gives you the wisdom for the specific moment and circumstance you may find yourself in, God will give it without correction, judgment, ridicule, or question.
IN FAITH WITHOUT WAVERING
Vs 6-8 > But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
When you ask, it shall be given. We know that when we ask, God stands ready to give, but we all have a common battle of momentary unbelief. We must stand firm in our knowing that God moves on our behalf and will never forsake us, or abandon us in our specific moments of need, but we must not live in a place of doubt and unbelief. We must not be tossed about from one moment to the next due to partnering with fear of the unknown. We must be stand firm, stand solid, and know that there is no god like our God.
RECAP
James just finished addressing in verses 2-4 that there are trials, that there will be trials, and that these trials will have a part in perfecting the believer. The trying of one's faith and perfecting it. Working into it patience, endurance, and perseverance to stand in the day in which they find themselves. In the same way, we must allow the perfecting of our faith through present-day trials and possible persecution.
Remember, that this place is not our home, for we are ambassadors of another kingdom.
Yours in Christ,
-Brent
Watch for Part 4 coming soon!
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