JEWELS FROM JAMES #2 "IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER"?

Last week's blog focused on the FACT and PURPOSE of TRIALS/TESTINGS/ADVERSITIES we encounter in life's journey as Followers of Jesus Christ! (If you have not already, I encourage you to stop here and go back to read that blog, based on James 1:1-4, for continuity as we go forward.)

We have probably heard or even watched the popular television game show of a while back, called "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" During the course of each show, when a contestant faced questions they didn't know the answer to, they had three "life-lines" available to assist them. Then at the appropriate time, the host would ask the contestant, "Is That Your Final Answer?" As I begin to write this, I want to ask two very important questions of each of us:

1) What is required of us to receive and implement the Word of God in our lives?

2) How do we constructively and Biblically deal wth the trials/testings we all encounter?

So, let's get the Scripture from James in front of us. "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf (waves) of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:5-8). Now let's think deeply about this passage and talk about its meaning and how to apply it to those two questions above.

First, we are told by James of the probability of LACKING SUFFICIENT WISDOM as we face our guaranteed trials (those ones we are to face with JOY)! He begins with the word "But" (verse 5). This is in reference to the fact that we will face trials that will produce endurance, so that we will mature and won't come up short of that growth in the Lord (verse 4). In that process, it is highly probable that we will lack wisdom in dealing with our trials. So, James goes on to say, "If" which is a conditional word! Based on the use of conditional words or sentences in the Scripture, it can rightly be rendered . . . "SINCE". So, the wording is: 'SINCE any of you lacks wisdom. . . ." Trials, testings, adversities and difficult situations are emotionally, physically and even spiritually draining! They can easily sap our understanding, rob us of our trust in God, and deplete our supply of courage and emotional resources. When we are in the midst of these trials, how often are we saying, "WHY, WHY, WHY, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GOD"! Be aware that James used the "passive voice" (Greek Language) here . . . so the wording is actually thus, "Since any of you is being caused to lack wisdom. . ." The lack of wisdom comes from outside of ourselves rather than from inside; the trials bearing down upon us cause us to be in need of wisdom that we do not naturally possess! The word "lack" means to be destitute, emptied out, as a person is in deep poverty. So, the wording is "since any (one) of you is destitute or emptied out of wisdom. . . ." Also note this fact, it is intensely personal; singular, meaning the situation belongs to you and me individually.

Now let's get this point; it is very important! We must understand this! The word "wisdom" is "sophia" in the Greek Language. It does not mean human knowledge! The wisdom identified here is not the accumulation of facts, the knowledge gained from experience or is it age-related. We are not born with it, we can't create it, and we cannot achieve it, It is not natural, but this wisdom is supernatural; it comes only from God and is divine in its origin and its application. It is given to us by Him at our request and His Wisdom gives to us the full capacity to deeply understand His ways and purposes in leading us victoriously through our trials, testings and adversities. The result is that we ACT WISELY, make wise choices, and live life with God's perspective.

We indeed have three "life-lines" to assist us in receiving this God-given Wisdom!

1) A Trusted Friend - JESUS, the source of all Wisdom! "For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6). ""He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity" (Proberbs 2:7). "Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the wisdom of God" (Proverbs 2:5).

2) The Word of God - the Bible, which we know is absolute TRUTH! "ALL Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17).

3) The Church - fellow followers of Jesus Christ! The church does not bestow God's wisdom, but our fellow Christians can assist us by prayer, support and encouragement to receive the wisdom and truth God provides.

With God-given WISDOM, we can say with confidence, "That Is My Final Answer"! Don't you desire this confidence building, faith developing, endurance inspiring, adversity over-coming WISDOM FROM GOD?

Second, James instructed us to SIMPLY PRAY. "Let him ASK of God" . . . ! (verse 5). I think we are all accustomed to ASKING in our prayers. Making requests is one of our natural practices and desires, and usually takes up the majority of our prayer time. But many times, we are asking for the wrong things . . . a better job, more money, a different house, a good health report, career advancement, etc.; the list is nearly endless! However, James said, PRAY AND ASK FOR WISDOM! Remember, God told King Solomon to ask Him for whatever he wanted. Solomon made his request! Out of ALL he could have had, he asked God for Wisdom and God gave it to him in abundance. So, likewise, James instructs us to "ask OF GOD"! HE alone is the only ONE who can and does give His Wisdom! We are told to go right to the very source of wisdom if we truly want it!

Third, THE PROVISION OF WISDOM IS ASSURED! God has given us His Promise to bless us with His Wisdom when we ask Him for it! Remember, GOD always keeps His promises! ". . . God, who cannot lie, promised. . . ." (Titus 1:2). ". . .so that by . . .unchangable things in which it is impossible for God to lie. . . ." (Hebrews 6:18). Be sure not to exchange God's Promises for satan's lies! Jesus said, "the devil is a liar and the father of lies!" God is generous! He gives His Wisdom liberally or generously! He does not hold back, restrict or limit; He is not stingy with His resources or with His Wisdom! His lovingkindess is truly evident and unmistakable! He gives to us "without reproach" or causing us to be ashamed for asking. The King James version of the Bible uses the term 'upbraidth" not, meaning God's treatment of us is "untainted"! He affirms us in our asking and does not find fault or criticize. And, wow, His gift of Wisdom has lasting fulfillment - ". . .and it will be given him."

Fourth, James described a PROBLEM - Oops, I mean a GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY rather than a problem. We are faced with a demand and a declaration from James. We MUST "Ask In Faith"! The "problem" is our doubts! James said, "without any doubting." Do you know that human nature is prone to doubts? That seems to raise its ugly head fairly often, doesn't it? We want to believe, we want to trust, and then the word "but" comes into play. We want to practice faith in God, and then we listen to that voice in our mind . . . "but this", "but that", and satan has a hey-day seeing us vacillate, riding the elevator of faith and doubt, of doubt and faith. Doubting is truly a tool of satan and left unchecked, it will go into distrust, disillusionment, despair and despondency!. None of that is from God! Our Glorious Opportunity is to "ask in faith", believe and trust in God and His promises, and receive His amazing Wisdom! We CAN avoid doubting, and avoid being like the "waves of the sea, being driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:6). Let's repudiate being "double-minded and unstable", which keeps us from realizing that doubts cause us to "not being able to expect anything from the Lord."

Going back to the two questions I asked earlier, understand that we will either handle them God's way or by failing to, we will be "handled" by them. I strongly urge you decide today to approach every trial, test, adversity, problem, difficulty you encounter, with your Life-Lines in full operation!

Here they are:

1) Your personal relationship with Jesus Christ; He is your LORD, SAVIOR and FRIEND WHO has Divine Wisdom for you! Just ask Him in faith!

2) The Word of God - the Bible! It is God's Life-Manual to guide us through to making wise choices and taking godly action!1

3) Your brothers and sisters in Christ; they offer you prayer, support and encouragement to assist you in your spiritual journey as you seek for and implement the Wisdom of God!

THAT'S MY FINAL ANSWER!