Study of Romans 12 – Verse 1

    I would like to take this study, as much as it is possible, verse by verse. In each verse, we will dig into the words used and the commands given to gain a better and deeper understanding of what God spoke through the apostle Paul. Are you ready? Let’s begin this week with verse 1:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1 NKJV)

“I beseech you therefore… by the mercies of God… ”

    Beseech means to strongly urge, to implore, or fervently ask. “I strongly urge you brethren…”

    Therefore means because of what I have just said, because of this, for this reason. So, whenever you see the word “therefore” in the Bible, read the context (chapters and/or verses before) to understand what the current command/instruction is ‘there for.’ To understand Romans 12:1, you need to read Romans 11:28-36. In these verses we find that because of God’s mercy, the gospel was given to the Gentiles after the Jews rejected it. “…because of God’s mercy and compassion on you…”

“…that you present your bodies a living sacrifice…”

    Present your bodies means our physical bodies, our capabilities: everything we can do with and within our bodies. We can use our bodies (our members: mind, heart, hands, etc.) as instruments of either sin or righteousness. Take time to read Roman 6:1-23.

    A living sacrifice means that God does not require blood or death (as required under the Law, i.e. animal sacrifice), but instead He desires us to have a willingness to sacrifice whatever is needed within ourselves (sin) and our lives (company, habits) so that we may commit wholly to Him and His way. Consider Matthew 16:24. People in Jesus’ time would have understood that anyone seen carrying a cross was not going to return, and we now can understand that when we deny self and take up our cross, we, too, will not return to our old life/ways because we are now following Jesus (1 John 2:3-6). “…show yourself ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to follow God and obey His commands…”

“…holy, acceptable to God…”

    Holy means sacred, set apart. “…allow God’s word to make you different than the world and more like the Lord…”

    Acceptable to God means we do what He requires and commands. We study God’s will, the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-17), so we can “do what aligns with His will, what is approved by Him...” Consider these examples:

• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 – praying for all who are in authority is good and acceptable in the sight of God.
• 1 Peter 3:1-4 – women having chaste conduct and the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in the sight of God.
• Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith it is impossible to please Him, we must believe that He is and that He will reward us when we diligently seek Him – God made mankind to do exactly that: Acts 17:26-27.
• 1 Peter 2:5 – we are to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (Think on Genesis 4:1-7)

 “…which is your reasonable service.”

    Reasonable service means rational (conclusion). As we gain knowledge through study, and gain wisdom through use of that knowledge (obedience), we will develop spiritual understanding: comprehending the vital importance of God and His word, Jesus’ sacrifice, His example, etc. We will begin to comprehend the value of the spiritual blessings found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14). Our rational response to this understanding and comprehension is to wholly commit to do what is needed to be holy – different than the world, and more like Him – because we adhere to His instructions and guidance. “…this is the most logical, the most sensible, response you can give to God who loves you and shows you such mercy.”

To summarize: I strongly urge you brethren, because of God’s mercy and compassion on you when He gave you access to the gospel of Christ; show yourself ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to follow Him and obey His commands, allow God’s word to make you different than those in the world who don’t know Him and become more like the Lord, doing what aligns with His will and what is approved by Him, for this is the most logical, the most sensible, response you can give to God who loves you and shows you such mercy.

    Are you ready to present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God?

You can do it! So can I!! 

A New Study: Romans 12 – An Introduction

    With our study of wisdom that is from above still fresh in our minds, I would like to dig into a chapter that commands application of that wisdom. Of course, the entirety of the New Testament has commands and instructions to apply that pure, gentle, and patient wisdom, but I find that Romans 12 encapsulates much of what the gospels and the epistles expound on, making it a rich chapter for a study.

Romans – An Overview

    The apostle Paul wrote to the brethren in Rome during his third preaching trip (missionary journey). The church had some members who were Jews and others who were Gentiles, and these different backgrounds were causing troubles (namely the Jews insisting that the Gentile brethren be circumcised, as required by the law of Moses).  In this letter, Paul teaches the Romans about Jesus, His vital importance, and how to live a life that befits a Christian.

    Paul opens his letter in the first chapter by reminding the brethren of their oneness: “Through [Jesus] we have received grace and the apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…” (1:5-7). He then declares the vital importance and value of the gospel of Christ: “…it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed…” (1:16-17).

    Paul goes on to remind the Gentiles that their past was nothing to be proud of, having nothing worthy of holding to, in that they (as a people) refused to acknowledge God even when evidence of Him was all around them. Paul reminds them that in their pagan pursuits, they were drawn on by selfish and vile desires, and did not like to retain God in their knowledge – knowing it would bar them from “doing those things which were not fitting” (1:18-32).

    Now these statements may have caused the Jews within the congregation to feel a bit haughty, but as they read on, in what we know as chapter 2, Paul makes it clear that the Jews also had a background of willful ignorance and neglect of God’s law: “…for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified” (v13), “You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through the breaking of the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written.” (2:23-24) Their upbringing and the habits they were clinging to - and imposing on the Gentiles – were not proper either.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe, for there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..” (Romans 3:21-23 NKJV) 

    All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In one sentence, Paul brings all believers to an even ground and equal footing. There is no difference, they were/we are all in need of God’s grace and they had/we have access to it through faith. When we are baptized we die to sin, we bury the old man of sin – choosing every day not to practice it anymore because God freed us from our bondage in sin – now we walk in newness of life, giving ourselves to God, in determined service to Him and His righteousness for holiness (6:1-23).

    The letter as a whole, after bringing everyone to a place of unity, instructs Christians to let go of their past and allow the gospel of Christ to renew their minds and transform them.

    Are you ready to let go of your past and renew your mind in the gospel of Christ, obeying God’s will, and let it transform you? Are you ready to wholly submit to God and His righteousness so you can not only become holy but in doing so you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God?

You can do it! So can I!! 

Wisdom That is From Above – A Few Final Words

    We have spent the first part of this year in taking a closer look at the facets of wisdom that is from above (James 3:13-17).

We have learned that wisdom from above is…

…first pure; pure to its very core, and not in any way defiled by sin, selfish interest, or harmful intent. Wisdom from above, at its very Source, is pure (I John 3:3). Its path is pure; it will not lead us astray or away from God. God’s pure words/commands will enlighten us (Psalm 19:8), chasten us (Hebrews 12:3-11), warn us, and correct us (2 Timothy 3:16-17); they will purify us to the very core when we, in wisdom, hear His words, obey His commands, heed His warnings, and make the necessary corrections.

…then peaceable; undisturbed and undisturbing. This wisdom is pacificatory (wanting to bring peace) and conciliatory (wanting to pacify, soothe, calmly resolve). Having/using wisdom from above helps us to be at peace in conflict (consider 1 Peter 2:20-23) and, as much as depends on us, it helps us to bring peace to the situation so that the conflict is resolved (Romans 12:18, Matthew 5:21-26).

…gentle; helping us to respond to situations appropriately, with mildness, patience, and moderation; it does what is suitable, fair/impartial, mild, and merciful. Think of God’s gentleness when we ask Him for wisdom when we are lacking; He is not disappointed or disapproving, but gives liberally to all who ask Him in faith (James 1:5-8), and consider His longsuffering patience with mankind because He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Read and take note of the benefits of gentleness in 1 Peter 3:1-4.   

…willing to yield; ready to obey, willing to yield your former thoughts and beliefs for the truth that is set before you. Willing to yield your pride, your notions; your own self (Matthew 10:37-38, 16:24, Luke 9:23, 2 Corinthians 5:15), to obey the true and proper way. Every time you choose God over self you are showing yourself wise in your willingness to yield, in your willingness to present your body a living sacrifice, in your willingness to choose holiness and acceptability to God over selfish, carnal desires, and in your willingness to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1-2)!

…full of mercy and good fruits; when we are full of mercy and good fruits our faith and service to God will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16), even to those who hate us, curse us, persecute us, and spitefully use us, because we will not limit our love and care to only those who are loving and caring toward us (Matthew 5:44-48, 25:34-40, Titus 3:8-14).

…without partiality; unwavering, undivided, unambiguous. Wisdom from above is consistent, steady and unbiased; without favouritism. It is not influenced by personal opinions or external pressures. Everyone, and every effort we put our hand to, will receive the very best that we can give - every time; others will be able to count on us to be consistently upright, above board, and unmovable in the practice of doing what is right (1 Corinthians 15:58).

…without hypocrisy; the quality of being genuine, sincere, and without pretense. Wisdom from above is seen in genuine people who honour God with their lives; they are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17), they carefully walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:3-6), and prove themselves to be His disciples in every aspect of their lives. They do not carry a basket to cover up their light when they are around certain people (Matthew 5:14-16), but will remain true to God and His way and happily and consistently work as though they are working for Him (Colossians 3:23).

We also learned that Jesus is our perfect example of wisdom that is from above; He had it, and proved it through unwavering use throughout His life. If you want to know more of what this wisdom means and how to apply it, you need only look to Him and His Father, our Lord and Creator – they have provided all we need to know, they have given us both example and instruction, and we have access to more wisdom that is from above simply by asking God in faith!

“For the LORD gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV)

    Now with these facets of proper wisdom refreshed in your mind, I would like to bring a few verses back to your attention. Please consider all that you have learned about wisdom as you read and meditate on these passages:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” (Psalm 111:10 NKJV)

“If you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding…. If you seek for [wisdom] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly...” (Proverbs 2:1-7 NKJV)

“When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness…” (Proverbs 2:10-13 NKJV)

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare to her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left are riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.” (Proverbs 3:13-18 NKJV)

“…Keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet… For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:21-24, 26 NKJV)  

“The wise will inherit glory…” (Proverbs 3:35 NKJV)

“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake [wisdom], and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal things; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honour, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.” (Proverbs 4:5-9 NKJV)

“I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:11-13 NKJV)

    Ask God for wisdom – He is ready and willing to give it to you liberally! Let’s ask for it, and receive it with a heart fully determined to apply it, as we follow Jesus’ example each day in both deed and in truth! As you have seen from the passages we read this week, it is worth our every effort and our every sacrifice to obtain it and retain it!

Are you ready to flourish in wisdom that is from above?

You can do it! So can I!! 

Wisdom that is From Above – A Summary

“But wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17 NKJV)

Consider this:

“Wisdom that is from above is first pure…” – Jesus is first pure:

• Jesus is God (John 1:1, 14) and God is pure (Proverbs 30:5, 1 John 3:3)
• Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23, Luke 1:30-35)
• Jesus’ purpose was pure (Matthew 1:21, Luke 2:49, John 6:38, Hebrews 10:9)
• Jesus lived a life of purity (Hebrews 7:26, Hebrews 4:14-15)

“…then peaceable…” – Jesus is peaceable:

• Jesus came to bring peace between God and man (Ephesians 2:11-13, Colossians 1:20-21)
• Jesus brings peace between man and man (Galatians 3:26-28, Ephesians 2:14-18) All who can hear the gospel, can obey the gospel – no matter gender, social status, income, or ethnicity – and become members of one body, the body of Christ, which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23).

“ …gentle…” - Jesus is gentle:

• Jesus was gentle (ex: when helping people, Luke 8:43-48, and when He was being hurt, 1 Peter 2:21-23 and Isaiah 53:7)
• Jesus’ way is gentle (ex: Matthew 11:28-29) Remembering that ‘gentle’ means moderate, mild, and doing what is appropriate, read and consider Jesus’ offer of help.
• Jesus’ teaching methods were gentle (ex: John 8:2-12, Luke 22:54-62 and John 21:15-19)
• Jesus remains gentle (Hebrews 4:14-16, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 2:1) He sympathizes with our weaknesses and He is our Mediator and Advocate.

“…willing to yield…” - Jesus was willing to yield:

• Jesus was ready and willing to yield to His Father’s will (Hebrews 10:7, John 5:30; 6:38, Matthew 26:39, Philippians 2:8, John 17:4)

“…full of mercy and good fruit…” – Jesus was full of mercy and good fruit:

• Jesus was full of mercy and showed compassion on individuals (ex: Luke 7:11-17, Matthew 8:14, John 11:17-44), on multitudes (ex: Matthew 9:35-38, 14:13-21, 15:32-39), and on the whole world – all who would exist in the world’s timeline (John 17:20-26, Hebrews 9:11-15; 23-28, 10:1-39, 12:1-2).
• Jesus was full of good fruit (He showed us how to “walk in the Spirit”, Galatians 5:16-25): love (John 15:12-13, 1 John 3:16), joy (John 15:9-11, Hebrews 12:2), peace (John 14:27, 16:33, “Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6-7), longsuffering (ex: Matthew 8:18-20; 23-27, 23:37, 26:1-27:56), kindness (Luke 7:11-17, 18:15-17), goodness (His entire character and purpose were good, see Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and consider Psalm 34:8), faithfulness (John 17:1-5, 12), gentleness (Matthew 19:13-15, Luke 18:15-17, Mark 5:21-43), and self-control (Matthew 21:12-16, Luke 9:51-56, 22:41-42, 23:1-25).

“…without partiality and without hypocrisy.” – Jesus was without partiality and without hypocrisy:

• Jesus was without partiality (ex: Matthew 9:10-13, Luke 19:1-10, John 4:1-26, 1 John 2:1-2, consider Isaiah 55:1-3)
• Jesus was without hypocrisy (John 5:16-47, 10:1-18, John 14:1-6, 1 John 2:3-6, God the Father declared Jesus as His Son, Matthew 3:17/Matthew 17:1-8/Romans 1:1-4, Jesus fulfilled all that was spoken of Him in the Law and the Prophets, Luke 24:44-49, and He now sits at the right hand of God, Acts 2:14-39)

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:3-6 NKJV)

    Jesus is our perfect example of wisdom that is from above; He had it, and proved it through unwavering use throughout His life. If you want to know more of what this wisdom means and how to apply it, you need only look to Him: read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and then read Acts through Jude, and the book of Revelation, too! “These things were written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that you believing you may life in His name.” (John 21:31)

    In following in Jesus’ footsteps and walking as He walked we, too, will become pure (having washed away our sins in baptism, Acts 22:16, we work to overcome obstacles, and repent and confess our sin each time we stumble, Acts 8:14-24, 1 John 1:7-10) and we will walk in purity (Matthew 5:8, 1 John 3:1-3, Psalm 24:3-5). In appreciation of the peace Jesus’ sacrifice brought about, we will do our best, in humble obedience, to maintain the peace established between ourselves and God (1 John 1:1-9, Acts 26:20), and to bring peace to the situations we find ourselves in (1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 12:18, James 3:18, Matthew 5:9). Following Jesus’ example of gentleness we need to correct with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:24-26) and be patient and longsuffering with others (Galatians 6:1-2). Are we willing to trust the Father as Jesus did? To willingly yield to God’s word and will when we hear it (1 Thessalonians 2:13, Matthew 7:21-23, 1 John 5:2-3, don’t be like those in Romans 10:2-3)? Let’s value the mercy we receive daily from God through Jesus and develop a heart that is full of mercy for others (Matthew 10:42; 18:21-35, Luke 10:25-37) and let’s work toward flourishing with fruit, proving that our nutrients come from the good Source (John 15:1-8, Matthew 7:15-20; 12; 12:35-37). And let’s be sure that we are without partiality (partiality being cliques within congregations/favouring certain members over others, being kind or friendly on only a part-time basis, picking and choosing who we shine our light around/who we share the gospel with, etc.), and let’s be certain that we are without hypocrisy because we represent God and His way to the world (Romans 12:1-2), and we represent His church to the community we live in (Revelation 3:14-19, 1 Corinthians 6:1-11). We are members of one another (Ephesians 4:14-32); so as much as depends on us, let’s not let others down nor let opportunities pass where another soul may be helped through our words or example (Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Peter 3:15-17, Daniel 12:3).

    Are you ready to walk just as Jesus walked and flourish in wisdom that is from above?

You can do it! So can I!! 

Wisdom From Above is… Without Hypocrisy

    Hypocrisy is acting under a feigned part; it is deceit, being fake, and pretending. We can find further details when we look to the Bible:

A hypocrite…

…is a vile person and is no benefit to others (Isaiah 32:6)

…could not come before God (Job 13:16)

…will be joyful but for a moment; he will perish forever like his refuse (Job 20:4-7)  

…is without hope if God takes away his life (Job 27:8)

…in their heart will store up wrath, and their life ends among the perverted persons (Job 36:13-14)

…will destroy their neighbour with their mouth (Proverbs 11:9)

…will condemn others for their sins, but refuse to see their own (Matthew 7:3-5)

…will sound a trumpet, stand in the streets, and they disfigure their faces so they can be seen by men to be “righteous” (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). Their hearts seek after the temporary glory that comes from men.

…say but do not do (Matthew 15:7-8)

…appear to honour God, but their minds are focused on earthly (carnal, selfish) things (Matthew 15:7-8, Mark 7:6)

…will not/cannot discern spiritual things; they are too focused on self and worldly wisdom (Matthew 16:3, Luke 12:56)

…appear righteous to draw men to them – even seeking men to “convert” them, but corrupt those who are taught by them (Matthew 23:13-14)

…will be delivered to the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24:51)

…is in league with those who practice malice, deceit, envy, and evil speaking, all of which keep you from desiring the pure milk of the word (1 Peter 2:1-3)

    We are to be without hypocrisy.

    The term “without hypocrisy” comes from a single Greek word: anupokritos (Strong’s G#505) it is the quality of being genuine, sincere, and without pretense.

    Our love is to be without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 1 Peter 1:22)

    Our faith is to be without hypocrisy (1 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 1:5)

    Consider the church in Laodicea that Jesus described in Revelation 3:15-16. He said that they were “lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot” (v16) – if they had been hot, they would have been zealous for God and His way, if they were cold they would have walked away completely, but, instead, they were proclaiming to be followers of Christ and not living as followers of Christ. We cannot be one way in the church building and another in our homes/communities/work. In behaving this way we not only bar ourselves from God and His blessings/promises, but we also keep others from finding and following Him. A hypocritical example belittles God, His word, and the church; it will further weaken weak brethren and leave the lost to their hopeless groping.

    When we seek wisdom that is from above, we will learn to remove any masks we have put on. We will do our best to be sincere and genuine to all as we humbly serve God and help others. We will be consistent in our conduct, not behaving one way with some people and another way with others. If your family, friends, co-workers, companions in your hobbies/leagues, and your brethren were all asked to describe you would they all be in complete agreement or would they each begin describing contradictory versions of you that the others were not aware of?

    Wisdom from above is without hypocrisy. It is exhibited by genuine people who honour God with their lives. People who are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17) who carefully walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:3-6), proving themselves to be His disciples in every aspect of their lives. They do not carry a basket to cover up their light when they are around certain people (Matthew 5:14-16), but will remain true to God and His way; they will humbly help their neighbour, and happily work as though they are doing it for God (Colossians 3:23).

    A life flourishing in wisdom that is from above – a life without hypocrisy – is what we all need to be striving for – are you ready to begin?

You can do it! So can I!!

Wisdom From Above is… Without Partiality

“But wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality…” (James 3:17 NKJV)

Without partiality means unwavering, undivided, unambiguous. It is being consistent, steady and unbiased; without favouritism. It is not influenced by personal opinions or external pressures.

God shows no partiality: Matthew 5:45, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:9-11, Ephesians 6:9, and Colossians 3:23-25

Note: Everyone (who reaches the age of understanding) has their lifetime to seek God and find Him (Acts 17:26-27); their gender, ethnicity, employment status, education, and monetary income do not matter – all can seek Him and find Him when they search for Him with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:13). No one will be barred from receiving His blessings when they do His commandments (Revelation 22:14).

    Earthly wisdom gives birth to envy and self-seeking – both of these will corrupt our hearts and make us partial. They lead us to do whatever it takes, including pushing down and pilfering others to promote and benefit ourselves; they taint our thinking and ability to reason and do good; they will convince us to see bribes as simply a means to an end – “You can have your cake and eat it too” – and they will keep our heads turned away from truth and justice.

“You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.” (Deuteronomy 16:19 NKJV)

    Envy and self-seeking will also keep our eye trained on what it does not/cannot have, it will sap our energies for the job at hand, leading us to be lacklustre and complaining in what we have to do because we’re saving our zeal for the job we want to do.  This earthly wisdom will also lead us to be false to people in our conduct as we mentally place them in a hierarchy of how they may benefit us: those who can give us something at the top; the rest of the list being only rungs in “the ladder of success” that we will readily step on to advance ourselves. With this carnal wisdom we will endure conversations with an insignificant person, but only until someone more interesting, more to our liking, comes along. We will become a pattern of rudely dropped conversations and become known as one who only gives half an ear to what is being said – because our attention is always on other people and other things. We will be so self-consumed there will be no effort made on our part to point people toward God and His word because we’ve convinced ourselves that ‘that’s for other people, not us. Isn’t the preacher paid to do that? We’ve got better things to do.’ These things ought not to be so.       

“If you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (James 2:9 NKJV)

    Those without partiality are exhibiting wisdom that is from above. They will hear a matter and seek God’s guidance (asking for wisdom, James 1:5, using His word to discern good from evil, Hebrews 4:15); in doing this, they will not be afraid of the answer – or to give the answer – because it will be of God (Deuteronomy 1:17, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). They will not look at external appearances, nor will they look at earthly measures or standards, they will see souls, and love each one of them as God loves them. Simply put, everyone they interact with and every effort they put their hand to will receive the very best that they can give - every time.

• We must not show partiality in judgment (Proverbs 18:13, 24:23-25, 28:21)
• We must not show partiality in our work ethic (Colossians 3:23, Titus 2:9-10, Ephesians 6:5-8, Philippians 2:14-16)
• We must not show partiality in who we greet or show kindness toward (Matthew 5:44-48, James 2:1-9, God already loves every person you may meet, show them the truth of that statement!)
• We must not show partiality in who we share the good news – the gospel – with (Luke 8:5-8, we are to be seed sowers not soil inspectors)  

    Showing favouritism and allowing our judgments to be biased – ex: changing our minds between one situation and the next because of the people involved – is a clear indication that our wisdom is earthly. Treating one job as though it’s beneath us, constantly complaining about it, and dragging our feet about accomplishing it, yet having the ability to give our whole heart to another effort because it is “more to our liking,” is another clear indication. Here are two more: Being friendly to only those who treat us well (or can benefit us), and keeping our bushel handy so we can cover up our light anytime we are around those we presume to be uninterested/unreceptive.

    God is consistent (Malachi 3:6a, Hebrews 13:8), His word is unchanging (Psalm 119:89, 1 Peter 1:23-25); let Him be your model and let His word be your guide so that you, too, can be without partiality!

You can do it! So can I!!

Wisdom From Above is… Full of Mercy and Good Fruits

“But wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits…” (James 3:17 NKJV)

    Let’s take time to break down “good fruits”:

    Good (in James 3:17) comes from the Greek ‘agathos’ (Strong’s #18) which means goodness to the innermost (intrinsic and inherent); good in nature, it is good whether it is seen to be so or not. It is moral goodness, virtue, and the beneficial nature of actions, people, etc. In the New Testament it often refers to the intrinsic goodness of God’s nature and His will.

    Fruits comes from the Greek ‘karpos’ (Strong’s #2590) which means the results and outcomes of actions. It is the evidence of one’s faith and character. It is the result of charity (beneficial, good conduct motivated by prayerful, good intent).

“…be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity… give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16 NKJV)

    When we are full of mercy and good fruits our faith and service to God will be evident to all, even to those who hate us, curse us, persecute us, and spitefully use us, because we will not limit our love and care to only those who are loving and caring toward us. This wisdom is the very opposite of the world’s wisdom. Read and really think on Matthew 5:43-48.

“And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60 NKJV)

    We can find ourselves surrounded by unkempt ‘fields’ – people who do not care to change nor improve (or do not know how to) because they reject God and His will – whether it is face to face or through media (TV, radio, movie, or social media) their weeds and rocks can infiltrate our hearts. So we must be watchful of our hearts and work continually to keep our “soil” tilled and tender, quickly clearing any rocks and weeds we find there (Luke 8:4-8, 11-15).  We need to also keep our hearts tender enough to look with mercy (pity and compassion) on those around us who need to know the better way; who need salvation!

    When we, in devotion to God, hear His word and humbly obey it; when we run to Him for help to pull out a strongly-rooted weed, we will be preparing our hearts to develop good fruits. If we keep trusting God, endure through temptations, and remain faithful to Him and His way, we will be preparing our hearts to be full of good fruits, and our progress will be evident to all.

    We want to abound in good fruit, don’t we? We are supposed to bear good fruit (John 15:16) – it is not for demonstration purposes (Matthew 6:1-7), but it will be seen by others (Matthew 5:14-16) as we progress and behave differently than the world around us. When we live according to God’s command and instruction found in the Bible (live and walk in the Spirit) the Spirit will bear His fruit (our faithfulness to God’s instruction will become obvious in all our conduct), and it will be visible to others in the love we give, the joy we hold to, the peace we live in (with God and man), the longsuffering we endure, the kindness we show, the goodness propelling us, the faithfulness anchoring us, the gentleness in our word and action, and the self-control that keeps us from serving ourselves (Galatians 5:16-26). God is glorified when we bear much fruit – when we develop as we should (John 15:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 3:18) – bearing good fruit proves us to be disciples of Jesus (John 15:8) and it proves that we are growing in the wisdom that is from above!

    We will have endless opportunities to conduct ourselves in wise and godly ways: answering the phone and finding it’s another telemarketer, long wait times (in-person or in our vehicle), gossip/disparaging comments in the break room at work, when your neighbour does not behave in a nice way, when someone is thoughtless or rude to us, when we speak to other women (or younger women, Titus 2:3-5), when we are asked for advice by a weak-in-the-faith sister in Christ, etc. etc. etc.  We need to remember to exhibit wisdom that is from above, wisdom that is full of mercy and good fruits!     

    Let’s work at tenderizing the hard spots, pulling the weeds, and extracting the stones from our own hearts with daily determination and prayer so we can flourish for God and prove His will to be good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2) to others around us!! Let’s think on God’s mercy and His goodness, so we can imitate Him as dear children (Ephesians 5:1), and grow toward flourishing in wisdom that is from above!

You can do it! So can I!!  

Wisdom from Above is… Full of Mercy

“But wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy…” (James 3:17 NKJV)

    The mercy in this passage is a mercy shown toward others, to show yourself merciful. It also holds within it a desire to relieve those who are sorrowful and afflicted by showing kindness and goodwill to them.

    Jesus exemplified this mercy several times (ex: Matthew 9:35-36, Matthew 14:14, and Matthew 15:29-32). We learn from His teaching that it proper to develop a heart of lovingkindness toward our fellow man. Consider Matthew 5:44, for instance, as well as Luke 10:25-37. We are to be kind and merciful “neighbours” to everyone we meet.

"So which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?" And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:36-37 NKJV)

    When we consider the mercy that God has shown toward us on a daily basis – granting us another day to learn and do more to honour and glorify Him, granting us access to His throne of grace through prayer, forgiving our sins as we repent of them, loading us with benefits and blessings (Psalm 68:19); He provides our needs (Matthew 6:30-34), comforts us, strengthens us, He gives us His peace that guards our hearts and minds through Jesus, and hope – when we consider all of that, we should be humbled and overflowing with appreciation. It should also develop a true willingness within our hearts and minds to extend mercy to others.

    Take time to read and think on Matthew 18:21-35. Are you holding grudges or withholding kindness? Are you willing to receive mercy but unwilling to extend it toward others in need of it? Are you enjoying the benefits of God but not sharing them with others? Please read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and 9:7-8. Our heavenly Father always gives us enough to share; we will always have a ready supply to show mercy to others!

    Those who are growing in the wisdom that is from above will also be humbling their heart to be a servant to both God and their fellow man. They will awake to each new day and count their blessings, keeping stock of all that God has granted them in His merciful love and care, and with that knowledge they will reflect His light in to the world through their good works, thoughtful concern, and gentle kindnesses (Galatians 6:9-10, Titus 3:8, 14). They will be forgiving because God is forgiving (Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14-15); they will be full of mercy because God, our Creator, is full of mercy.

    Share your food (Isaiah 58:7-9, Luke 14:12-14), your house (Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:7-10), your clothes (Matthew 5:42), your wealth (1 Timothy 6:17-19, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8), and your time (Titus 2:3-5); share the good news of salvation with those who need it (1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16:15-16). Share the mercy that God has shown you, be forgiving and ready to heals hurts and wounds. Begin by understanding how blessed you are – how merciful God has been – and then extend that to others! Make it a daily determination so that you can grow and flourish in the wisdom that is from above. Are you ready to fill yourself up with mercy and show yourself merciful?

You can do it! So can I!!

Wisdom From Above is… Willing to Yield

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield…” (James 3:17 NKJV)

    Willing to yield means to be ready to obey, willing to yield your former thoughts and beliefs for the truth that is set before you. Willing to yield your pride, your notions; your own self (Romans 12:1-2), to obey the true and proper way.

    In using wisdom from above you will be able to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14); you will abhor what is evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).

Examples of people who were willing to yield:

Jesus (Matthew 26:39, 42, Mark 14:36, 39, Luke 22:42) “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Your will be done.” (Luke 22:42) “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work that You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4)

3000+ men and women (Acts 2) “Now when they heard this, they were cut to their heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized for the remission of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. …Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day three thousand souls were added to them. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (37-38, 41, 47b)

Saul of Tarsus/Paul (Acts 9:1-22, 22:4-21, 26:4-20) Saul lived as a Pharisee (the strictest sect of the Jewish religion, Acts 26:3-5) and thought that he must do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 26:9), including shutting up many of the saints in prison (being given authority to do so by the chief priests), casting his vote against them when their very lives hung in the balance; he punished them and forced them to deny Jesus, and even tracked them down in foreign cities to persecute them (Acts 26:10-11). While Saul was in pursuit of Christians in Damascus, Jesus appeared to Saul and spoke to Him, and he “was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19) – he was willing to yield – and went to Damascus, waited for Ananias to come and put his hands on him (Acts 9:11-12, 17-18), and when that happened “he arose and was baptized” (Acts 9:18).  

Philippian Jailor (Acts 16:25-34) A Roman “keeper of the prison” seeing the situation he awoke to, heard Paul’s words when he called to him through the darkness from the inner prison: “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Realizing that there must be something more, something different about Paul and Silas, he asked for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before them, then he brought them out of the inner prison and asked them, “Sirs, what I do to be saved?” They “spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.” The Philippian jailor, a Roman citizen and employee of the state, was willing to yield and ready to obey the word of the Lord, and being fully convinced, that same hour of the night, he did works befitting repentance when he “washed their stripes,” (v33, Acts 26:20) and immediately he and all his family were baptized. And “[the jailor] rejoiced having believed in God with all his household.” (v34).

Apollos (Acts 18:24-28) Apollos was “an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures” He had been taught the way of the Lord, and spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, but he knew only the baptism of John (John had prepared the people for Jesus, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, Luke 3:1-6).  When Aquila and Priscilla heard him speak boldly in the synagogue, “they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately.”  Apollos was willing to yield to this more accurate knowledge and being fully convinced of it, he continued on to Achaia and “greatly helped those who had believed through grace (the Gentiles); for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly; showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.”

Eunuch from Ethiopia (Acts 8:26-39), Cornelius (Acts 10), Lydia (Acts 16:11-15, 40), you, and me We all heard the same gospel message, and we all reached a point of understanding and conviction that we – in wisdom – were willing to yield. We were willing to submit to God and His way, and from that day forward we have pursued His righteousness (Matthew 6:33, 2 Timothy 2:22), and worked to remove bad habits, thoughts, and conduct, and replace them with good works (Ephesians 2:10, Titus 3:1, 8, 14), good thoughts (Philippians 4:8), and good conduct (1 Timothy 2:1-4, 4:12-13, Romans 12:1-2, 9-21, 1 Peter 3:1-4).

Examples of those who were not willing to yield:

Jesus’ own countrymen (Matthew 13:53-58) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? ...so they were offended at Him.”

Young man with great possessions (Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22) “But when he heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Those who listened to Stephen’s sermon (Acts 6:8-7:60) “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth… and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.”

Felix, the Governor (Acts 24:22-25) “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” (he never did)

    This is an area where we can clearly assess whether someone’s wisdom is earthly or if it is from above – when we observe their willingness to yield to God and His way:  Do they say they love God but hold to their own thoughts and notions, like those described in Romans 10:2-3? Do they, by their words and example, help you draw nearer to God and encourage you toward better service? Do they seek out and share man’s advice more than God’s instruction? Do they ignore or disregard certain commands and instructions because they don’t want to give up parts of their conduct/lifestyle?

    We can ascertain where our wisdom is sourced by asking ourselves these same questions: Do I hold to my own notions and expect God to be pleased? Do I, through my words and example, help others draw nearer to God and encourage them toward better service? Do I seek out and share man’s advice more than God’s instruction? Do I ignore or disregard certain commands and instructions in the Bible because I don’t want to give up parts of my conduct/lifestyle?

    You were willing to yield when you heard the gospel message and responded to it. You were willing to yield when you submitted to baptism for the remission of your sins and rose to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Every time you choose God over self you are showing yourself wise in your willingness to yield, in your willingness to present your body a living sacrifice, in your willingness to choose holiness and acceptability to God over selfish, carnal desires, and in your willingness to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1-2)! Keep going, keep growing; keep flourishing in wisdom from above by learning and obeying God’s word and by continuing to prove to yourself – and to others around you – that all of God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect!

You can do it! So can I!!     

   

Wisdom From Above is… Gentle

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle…” (James 3:17 NKJV)

gentle (Strong’s #G1933) ‘epieikes’ means appropriate, mild, patient, moderation

    This exact word is found in three places in the New Testament: James 3:17 (our main passage of study), Titus 3:1-2, and 1 Peter 2:18 (see below).

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” (Titus 3:1-2 NKJV)

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also the harsh.” (1 Peter 2:18 NKJV)

    Another form of this word was used by Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian brethren: “Now, I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ – who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.” (2 Corinthians 10:1) Here it is ‘epieikeia’ (Strong’s #G1932) which means suitableness, fairness/impartiality, mildness, mercifulness.

    This sort of gentleness is clearly seen in James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” God, who is all wise (‘omniscient’), does not belittle or rebuke those who lack wisdom when they ask Him for it; He happily and generously provides it so that they can develop and flourish in it. Read and consider Hebrews 4:16 as well.

    Those who cling to earthly wisdom want to be the smartest in the room. They will seek out the one they deem weakest (in intelligence) when they want a small ego boost, and they will openly target the one considered the smartest amongst the group when they desire a battle for the title. They will criticize, mock, and humiliate to gain advantage, spouting worldly arguments and well-practised conundrums so as to stump and cause hesitation in the other, leaving opportunity for further mocking and ridicule.  

    But those with wisdom from above will assess a situation and respond to it appropriately. When they discover another’s lower level of knowledge and understanding, they will help to raise that level with kindness and patience, with mildness and moderation; taking the time needed, step-by-step, to guide them (think on Ephesians 4:29). And when they find someone with better understanding than themselves they will humbly listen and discern (Hebrews 5:14); which is the very thing we will study next week, if the Lord wills.  

    Simply put, earthly wisdom pushes down others to lift up self, but wisdom that is from above puts self aside to lift up others.

    Take a careful look at how you share your wisdom: Do you get a jolt of satisfaction when you can ‘tsk’ or cluck your tongue at someone’s ignorance, and openly correct them in a patronizing way? Or do you find fulfillment in being able to quietly and gently help another along, taking whatever time and study is needed to help them gain more understanding?

    Think of God’s patience and gentleness with you. There are no lightning bolts hitting you whenever you blunder or fall short; God is gentle – “the Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3) – and He is patient and “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish…” (2 Peter 3:9). When God shares His wisdom with us liberally and without reproach, let us appreciate that enough to do the same for others!

You can do it! So can I!!

Wisdom From Above is… Peaceable

“But wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable…” (James 3:17a, NKJV)

    As we continue in our study to better understand the “wisdom that is from above,” let’s now dig into the term peaceable.

    Peaceable means loving peace, harmony, tranquility. Its use in the New Testament often refers to the character or behaviour that promotes peace and unity among people, bringing peace to a situation instead of additional conflict; to be at peace and a willingness to bring about peace.

Consider these uses in the New Testament:

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV)

    Peaceable, in this passage, means to keep one’s seat, to be still (undisturbed and undisturbing). Now, we all know that the world’s wisdom would have us rail against governments and those in authority, but God’s wisdom teaches us to bow our heads and humbly pray to make intercession for all people in these positions. Take time to meditate on 1 Timothy 2:1-4, and while you’re thinking on it, read Psalm 4:4-5 and 1 Peter 2:20-24. We must always remember to trust God and continue to do what is good and acceptable in His sight.

“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? …Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields that peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:7, 9-11 NKJV)

    Peaceable, in this passage means pacific (peaceful in character and intent) and salutary (beneficial, producing good effects, health-giving). Again, the world with its carnal wisdom will be quick to counsel you toward railing and rebelling against correction and instruction – “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do!” – but when we submit to wisdom from above, and allow ourselves to be trained by it, we will develop the peace-bringing fruit of righteousness. We will come to know peace and desire to be at peace with God, willingly making the necessary changes to obey His commands and instructions, so that we can continue in His righteousness (1 John 3:7, Matthew 6:33). Read and think on Hebrews 12:7-11 as well as James 3:18. God wants us to live properly, peaceably, and be beneficial to others.

“If it is possible, as much as depends of you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18 NKJV)

    Peaceably, in this passage, means to be pacificatory (wanting to bring peace) and conciliatory (wanting to pacify, soothe, calmly resolve). The world’s wisdom says, do whatever it takes to get what you want: fight, argue, backbite, slander, etc. But wisdom from above instructs you to give your anxieties to God (Philippians 4:6-8), run to Him for help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16), pray to Him for more wisdom (James 1:5-6), love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44-48), and train your mind to think on good things (Philippians 4:8-9). Think on Romans 12:18-21 and then read and consider Psalm 73, as well as Ephesians 4:29-31 and Matthew 18:21-35.   

    The wisdom that is from above will help us to be at peace in conflict and, if at all possible, to bring peace to the situation so that the conflict is resolved. Take time to think on Hebrews 12:14. God wants us to live peaceably in righteousness; are you ready to pray to Him in wisdom, submit to Him in wisdom, and live for Him in wisdom?  

You can do it! So can I!!