My Friend James: Wisdom
One of the things I enjoy about the book of James is the way he frequently connects seemingly disparate thoughts.
Today, I want to talk about James1:5-8 – his teaching on wisdom. James 1:5-8 [ESV] “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
So, after opening with encouragement to have joy in trials because it leads to steadfastness, his finishes with “that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” [James 1:4] He then picks up in verse 5 with “If any of you lack wisdom…” revealing his flow of thoughts, I believe.
James connects the two thoughts further by pointing out that trials first lead to faith (and faith to steadfastness) and that if you want wisdom, you must ask in faith. This guides me to think of trials as the way to develop enough faith to ask God for wisdom or any other thing I need.
We’ll circle back to asking in faith, but let’s first spend a moment considering that we have a god “who gives generously to all”. The KJV says, “gives to all (men) liberally”. This word translated “liberally” is also translated simply, openly, frankly and sincerely. Each one of these 5 translations creates a beautiful picture of our Father who seeks to give to us, not stingily, but liberally; not grudgingly but sincerely, not with ulterior motives but frankly; not secretly, but openly; not via some complex strategy, but simply.
Luke 11: 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
James says that not only does God give liberally or generously, but also that He “upbraideth not” (KJV) or “without reproach” (ESV). God does not reproach or revile us when we come to Him with our requests. He is ready and willing to give generously. Think of Luke 11:11-13. Our Heavenly Father is better than a human parent at fulfilling the requests of His children.
There is a prerequisite. We must ask in faith. James 1:6-8 [ESV] “6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” To ask for something while doubting in your heart and mind that God will answer your needs willingly, liberally (v. 5) and as a loving Father (Luke 11:11-13) is to be of two minds (double minded) and inconsistent.
God does not want us to lack anything. He is ready, willing and able to give, especially when we ask for the good gift of wisdom. Ask for wisdom, sweet sisters. Ask in faith – leaning on the faith developed through out trials. Wisdom is a good gift that the Father wishes to give you.
I hope you will continue to meet with me here and will share your own thoughts on the book of James.
You can write me any time at Nancy@DynamicChristianMinistries.org