The wisdom that is from God is proven by the positive results that it produces...

This week, we have been looking at a section of a letter that is recorded in the New Testament of the Bible called the book of James. So far this week, we looked on as James asked early followers of Jesus “Who among you is wise and understanding?”

With this question, James is addressing a timeless issue. And that timeless issue is the issue of wisdom. James here is addressing the timeless question “what is true wisdom? And how does wisdom actually demonstrate that it is wisdom?  How does one distinguish what is wisdom from that which is not truly wisdom?          

James then began to answer his question by basically saying "Let the person who thinks that they have true wisdom demonstrate that wisdom by a way of life that is not full of themselves but that through their actions demonstrates the developed skill for living life that produces positive results in their relationship with God and others." James point here is true wisdom is proven by the right lifestyle. James is revealing for us the reality that true wisdom results in a lifestyle that flows from not being overly impressed with themselves but that reveals the wisdom that produces positive results in their lives.

James then revealed for us the reality that one of the ways that we can distinguish true wisdom from that which is not true wisdom is through what motivates and drives a person when it comes to how they live out their lifestyle. James explained that those who have a lifestyle that is driven by a bitter desire to want what others have or to not others to have what they do have should not boast about having wisdom, because such a boast would be to tell a lie. And those who have a lifestyle that is driven from the core of our beings by selfishness should not boast about having wisdom, because such a boast would be to tell a lie. Instead of possessing true wisdom, such a lifestyle reveals a faulty and false wisdom.

Wednesday, we looked on as James then revealed that “wisdom” that was informed and shaped by human philosophy, by our old nature apart from God, and by the spiritual forces that oppose God will result in a developed skill for living life that produces a lifestyle of jealousy and selfish ambition that is marked by a rebellion against authority and a low standard of morality.  And such a lifestyle reveals the reality that such “wisdom” is not from God.

James explained that the person who considers themselves to be a follower of Jesus that possesses wisdom from God and yet lives a lifestyle of selfishness that wants what others have and that does not want others to have what they do have really does not have the faith that works. They do not have the faith that works because they are relying on wisdom that results in the wrong kind of lifestyle. They do not have the faith that works because they are relying on wisdom that is from the wrong source.

Instead, we discovered that the faith that works requires the wisdom that is from God. And today, we are going to see James answer the question "how do I know that this wisdom, this developed skill for living life that produces positive results in my life, is from God? How can I distinguish what is wisdom from that which is not truly wisdom? And how do I find this wisdom? How do I discover this developed skill for living life that produces positive results?" We see James provide the answer to these questions in James 3:17:

 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Here we see James provide a list of qualities that are produced by the wisdom, by the developed skill for living life that produces positive results, that flows from God. And it is in this list that we see James reveal for us the reality that the wisdom that is from God is proven by the positive results that it produces.

James explains that the first positive result that the wisdom that comes from God produces in that the wisdom that comes from God is pure. The word purity conveys the sense of being without moral blemish. James point is that the wisdom that flows from God produces a desire to do the right thing, regardless of our circumstances.

James then reveals a second positive result that the wisdom that comes from God produces in that the wisdom that comes from God is peaceable. James point is that the wisdom that flows from God produces harmonious relationships with others. James then explains a third positive result that the wisdom that comes from God produces in that the wisdom that comes from God is gentle. Now the word gentle conveys the sense of not insisting on every right of the letter of the law or custom. James here is revealing the reality that the wisdom from God does not always insist on having one’s own way, but is courteous and kind toward others.

James then reveals a fourth positive result that the wisdom that comes from God produces in that the wisdom that comes from God is reasonable. Now the word reasonable conveys the sense of being compliant and obedient. James point is that the wisdom that flows from God is reasonable and defers to others in the open handed areas of life.

James then explains that the wisdom that is from God is full of mercy and good fruits. When James uses the word mercy here, this word refers to a kindness and concern for those who are in need. In addition, when James talks about fruit, her is referring to the results that wisdom produces in the lives of those who are wise. James point here is that the wisdom from God expresses concern for those in need and produces a high standard of results that can been seen by others.

James then reveals a seventh positive result that the wisdom that comes from God produces in that the wisdom that comes from God is unwavering. The word unwavering conveys the sense of not being judgmental or divisive. James point here is that the wisdom from God is not judgmental or divisive but is impartial in its dealings with others.

James then states an eighth positive result that the wisdom that comes from God produces in that the wisdom that comes from God is without hypocrisy. The word hypocrite literally means to join in playing a part of pretending and was used to describe someone who was an actor in the Greek theatre. In our culture today, we would refer to such a person as a poser. A hypocrite, by definition, is someone that says “here is the message and teachings of Jesus, and you need to follow them, but I am not going to follow them”. A hypocrite fails to follow the message and teachings that they impose on others. James point is that the wisdom that flows from God is without pretense, but is genuine and sincere.

James then concludes this section of his letter in verse 18 with a seemingly strange statement: “And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” To which we all think to ourselves “What does that even mean”? The word righteousness is a big fancy church mumbo jumbo talk word that simply means that quality or state of being right.

James point here is that the wisdom from God produces what is right when it is used to bring harmony by those who desire harmony in their relationships with others. When people who desire to live in genuine and authentic community with one another use the wisdom that flows from God to foster that genuine and authentic community, the result is what is right in God’s sight.

Because the timeless reality is that the faith that works requires the wisdom that is from God. The faith that works requires that wisdom that is from God because the wisdom that is from God is proven by a right lifestyle in relationship with God and others. And the faith that works requires that wisdom that is from God because the wisdom that is from God is proven by the right results that is produces.

So here is a question to consider: Do you think you are wise? Do you think that you have developed a skill for living life that produces positive results in your life? Does your lifestyle reflect that you are wise? Does your lifestyle reflect that you have developed a skill for life that produces positive results?

What wisdom are you relying on? What does your lifestyle reveal about the wisdom that you are relying on? What does what is being produced by your life reveal about the wisdom that is driving your life? Because, as we have discovered this morning, the faith that works requires the wisdom that is from God....