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!!