Now James describes the qualities that belong to divine wisdom. He explains its source and product. It is "from above" (James 3:17). This harmonizes with his conclusion in James 1:17. Genuine wisdom has its origin in God Himself. It's God's good and perfect gift to believers. Human endeavor cannot acquire it. Divine enduement alone supplies it.
Divine wisdom is "pure" because the corruption and defilement which adheres to natural human wisdom are absent from it. Its motivation is not sensual, its aims are not limited to earth, and its influence does not come from demons.
Wisdom from above is "peaceable". Strife and faction have no place here. This wisdom also promotes peace. It deals gently with others and is always considerate and reasonable. It manifests a readiness to respond to a cry for help. It's amenable and conciliatory.
Heavenly wisdom is brim full of compassion--the kind of compassion which doesn't stop short of performing good works. The "wise" men whom James addresses know how to talk big, but they were short on compassionate service--acts of mercy.
God's wisdom imparted to man never inspires partiality. It overlooks differences to personal scruples in its desire for Biblical unity and brotherly concord. Such wisdom is genuinely sincere. It doesn't endeavor to make a good impression at the expense of honesty. It can tolerate full exposure to the pure light of truth. It hides nothing because no ulterior motives lurk in the shadows.
Though James doesn't specify so here, the power of the Holy Spirit is the only sufficient means by which any believer can manifest the virtues and graces that accompany divine wisdom. Only by divine enablement can Christians exhibit heavenly wisdom. The old Adamic nature craves what human cleverness can achieve.
The workings of Adam's inclinations in us prompt us to lean upon our own limited understanding. God's Spirit operating mightily in us stirs us to pray for divine wisdom and then to depend upon God to keep His promise of liberality.
The last verse of James 3 summarizes all James has been teaching about a truly godly life. He expresses his conclusion in the figure of sowing and reaping. An in-severable relationship exists between seed and fruit. Corn seeds produce corn. Righteous sowing eventuates in righteous reaping. If believers sow peace, they will enjoy a harvest of peace. If they sow to the wind, they will reap the whirlwind.
The whole emphasis in James chapter 3 is centered upon the word "shew". James insists up on an external manifestation for genuine faith and genuine wisdom. Inner qualities which have their source in the work of the Holy Spirit in us will show themselves in a godly life before others.
Pious confessions of faith and pretentious claims to wisdom mean absolutely nothing when a man's deportment gives the lie to his declarations. Believers live by the faith of the Son of God and enjoy the indwelling presence of Him who is the very personification of wisdom.
The combination of a godly faith and a genuine wisdom produces fruit unto righteousness.
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