James 3:13-18
Wednesday Night • Sermon • Submitted
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· 18 viewsReal wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
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13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.
Contrast- tongue capable of good and evil
15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
contrasts- Good gift from above
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
two layers of wisdom (earthly vs heavenly)
earthly thoughts are different from heavenly thoughts. --- vs 14.
It's out nature.
This is why scripture talks: Old nature vs new nature in Christ
paul- in Christ 100times
Wisdom is like driving a car. There are principles you follow but you have to adjust to the road.
16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
sin by nature is envy
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.
wisdom from above is compliant = willing to yield.
Wisdom from earth is selfish. --- Galatians 5
Mercy and good fruits-
13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?
Unwavering
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Without Pretense- Hypocrisy
1 My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
He is reminding them of what he has taught them.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
righteousness- properly alignment with God.
Nothing sets apart the wisdom in which you life your life like how merciful you are to people.
Heaven and Earth think different.
97 How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts.
17 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. 18 You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
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