James said: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For wht is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanished away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.' But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:13 - 17, NKJV).
James began Chapter 4 talking about war with God, and ends it talking abut the will of God. But the two themes are related: when a believer is out of the will of God, he becomes a troublemaker and not a peacemaker.
Lot moved into Sodom and brought trouble to his family. David committed adultery and brought trouble to his family and his Kingdom. Jonah disobeyed God and almost sent a shipload of heathen sailors into a watery grave. In each case, there was a wrong attitude toward the will of God.
God has a plan for each of our lives. He is a God of wisdom and knows what ought to happen and when it should occur. And, as a God of love, He must desire the vey best of His children. Too many Christians look upon the will of God as bitter medicine they must take, instead of seeing it as the gracious evidence of the love of God.
A perplexed young person was not willing to give his life to the Lord because he was afraid that God would ask him to do something dangerous. His Pastor told him: "The dangerous life is not in the will of God. The safest place in the world is right where God wants you!" I cannot agree with the Pastor more.
David, the psalmist said: "The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generation" (Psalm 33:11).
The will of God comes from the heart of God. His will is the expression of His love and so we need not be afraid to follow His will!
In this section of his Epistle (James 4:13 - 17) James pointed out three attitudes toward the will of God - ignoring God's will, disobeying God's will and obeying God's will. Of course, only the last attitude is the correct one, the only one that every Christian ought to cultivate.
Ignoring God's will (James 4:13, 14, 16)
James said: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil" (James 4:13, 14, 16).
I believe James was addressing some successful and wealthy business men in the local assembly. They might have discussed their business deals and boasted about their plans. There was no evidence that they sough the will of God or prayed about their decisions. They measured success in life by how many times they got their own way and accomplished what they had planned.
But James presented four arguments that revealed the foolishness of ignoring the will of God.
1. The complexity of life (James 4:13)
Think of all that is involved in life - today, tomorrow, buying, selling, getting gain, losing, going here, and going there. Life is made up of people and places, activities and goals, days and years; and each of us must make many crucial decisions day after day.
Apart from the will of God, life is a mystery. When you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, and seek to do His will then life starts to make sense.
2. The uncertainty of life (James 4:14)
This statement is based on what Solomon said: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth" (Prov. 27:1).
These businessmen were making plans for a whole year when they could not even see ahead into one day! See how confident they were - "We will go. We stay a year. We will buy and sell and make a profit."
Their attitude reminds us of the farmer in the parable of Jesus in Luke 12. The man had a bumper crop; his barns were too small; so he decided to build bigger barns and have greater security of the future. "And I wll say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry" (Luke 12:19).
But God said to him: "Fools! This night your soul will be required of you" (Luke 12:20). Life is not uncertain to God, but it is uncertain to us. Only when we are in His will can we be confident of tomorrow, for we know that He is leading us.
3. The brevity of life (James 4:14)
This is one of the repeated themes of Scripture. To us, life seems long and we measure it in years; but in comprison to eternity, life is but a vapor. James borrowed that figure from the Book of Job where you had many pictures of the brevity of life.
"My days are swifter than a weaver's shutter, ..." (Job 7:6).
"As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, so he who goes down the grave does not come up" (Job 7:9).
"Now my days are swifter than a runner; ..." (Job 9:25).
We count our years at each birthday, but Psalm 90:12 says, "So teach us to number our days, ..." After all we live a day at a time, and those days rush by quickly the older we grow.
Since life is so brief, we must invest our lives in those things that are eternal - the things of God. We cannot afford to ignore the Bible, in which God gives precepts, principles, and promises that can guide us in every areas of life.
4. The frailty of man (James 4:16)
Man's boasting is evil because it only covers up man's weakness. Man cannot control future events. He has neither the wisdom to see the future nor the power to control the future. For him to boast is sin; it is making himself God.
Solomon said: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its very decision is from the Lord" (Prov. 16:33).
How foolish it is for people to ignore the will of God. It is like going through the dark jungles without a map, or over the stormy sea without a compass!
Disobeying God's will (James 4:17)
James said: "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).
It is God's will for His children to do good. If we deliberately turning away from doing good, we are disobeying God's will.
Peter said: "For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them" (2 Peter 2:21).
Why do people who know the will of God deliberately disobey it? I believe it is pride. Man likes to boast that he is the "master of his fate, the captan of his soul." Man has accomplished so many marvelous things that he thinds he can do anything.
Another reason is man's ignorance of the nature of God's will. He acts as though the will of God is something he can accept or reject. In reality, the will of God is not an option, it is an obligation. We cannot "take it or leave it." Because He is the Creator and we are the creatures, we must obey Him. Because His is the Savior and Lord, and we are His children and servants, we must obey Him. To treat the will of God lightly is to invite the chastening of God in our lives.
Many people have the mistaken idea that the will of God is a formula for misery. Just the opposite is true! It is disobeying the Lord's will that leads to misery. The Bible and human experience, are both witnesses to this truth. And even if a disobedient Christian seems to escape difficulty in this life, what will he say when he faces the Lord?
Jesus said: "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will much will be require, and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:47, 48).
What happens to Christians who deliberately disobey the know will of God? They are chastened by God the Father until they did (read Hebrews 12:5 - 11). If a professed believer is not chastened, it is evidence that he has never truly been born again. It is because "if you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; ..." (Heb. 12:7). And born-again Christians are sons (children) of God.
But there is also the danger of losing heavenly rewards. In 1 Cor. 9:24 - 27, Paul compared the believer to a runner in the Greek races. In order to qualify for a crown, he had to obey the rules of the game. If any contestant was found to have disobeyed the rules, he was disqualified and humiliated. Paul said: "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: less that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Cor. 9:27, KJV, emphasis added).
The word "castaway" does not refer to the loss of salvation, but the loss of reward. Paul meant, he might be "disqualified" - as in the NKJV.
Disobeying God's will today may not seem a serious thing, but it will appear very serious when the Lord returns and examines our works. Paul said: "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality" (Col 3:22 - 25).
Obeying God's will (James 4:15)
James said: "Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that'" (James 4:15).
Notice that, "If the Lord wills" is not just lips service; it is the constant attitude of a believer's heart. Jesus said: "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). We should do likewise.
Paul referred to the will of God often in his Epistles as he shared his plans with the Churches he wrote to (Rom. 1:10; 15:32; 1 Cor. 4:19; 16:7). Paul did not consider the will of God a chain that shackled him; rather, it was a key that opened doors and set him free.
Notice that, there is the general will of God and also the specific will of God. Every commandment in the Bible addressed to believers is part of the general will of God, and must be obeyed. For exampe, it is God's will that we yield ourselves to Him (2 Cor. 8:5). It is God's will that we avoid sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3). All Christians should rejoice, pray and thank God (1 Thess. 5:16 - 18). But God does not call each of us to the same work in life, or to exercise the same gifts and ministry. The specific will of God is "tailor-made" for each of us!
The believer's relationship to the will of God is a growing experience. First, we should know His will (Acts 22:14). The will of God is not difficult to discover. If we are willing to obey, He is willing to reveal (John 7:17). God does not reveal His will to the curious or the careless, but to those who are ready and willing to obey Him.
We must not stop with merely knowing some of God's will. God wants us to be "filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understand" (Col. 1:9). It is wrong to want to know God's will about some matters and ignor His will in other matters. Everything in our lives is important to God, and He has a plan for every area of our lives.
God wants us to understant His will (Eph. 6:17). As the "friends" of Jesus Christ, we have the privilege of kowing why God does what He does (John 15:15). it is interesting to know that the Israelites knew what God was doing, but Moses understood why He was doing it (Ps. 103:7).
We must also prove God's will (Rom. 12:2). We learn to determine the will of God by working at it. The more we obey, the easier it is to discover what God wants us to do. We start with the thing we know we ought to do, and we do that. Then God opens the way for the next step. We prove by experience what the will of God is. We learn both from successes and failures.
Finally, we must do God's will from the heart (Eph. 6:6). If our heart is after God'will, we will do God's will.
What are the benefits of doing the will of God? For one thing, you enjoy a deeper fellowship with the Lord (Mark 3:35). Secondly, you have the privilege of knowing God's truth (John 7:17), and seeing your prayer answered (1 John 5:14, 15). Thirdly, there is an eternal quality to the life and works of the one who does the will of God (1 John 2:15 - 17) - "... he who does the will of God abides forever" (John 2:17).
Conclusion
The only right attitude, the one God wants us to have, is to obey His will. The Christian who knows, loves, and obeys the will of God will enjoy God's blessing. His life may not be easier, but it will be holier and happier.
David, the psalmist said: "I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart" (Ps 40:8). In other word, it will be the joy and delight of the heart of the one who does
God's will.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
All Kinds of Wars
War is a fact of life. In spite of treaties, world peace organiztions, and the treat of nuclear bombs, nations still are having wars with one another. Not only are there wars between nations, but there are wars of one kind or another on almost every level of life.
James discussed this important theme of war in James 4:1 - 12. He explained that there were three wars going on in the world - at war with one another, at war with ourselves and at war with God. He also told us how these wars could be stopped.
At war with one another (James 4:1, 11, 12)
James said: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another" (James 4:1, 11, 12, NKJV)?
James was talking about Christians at war with one another. Surely brethren should live together in love and harmony, yet often they do not. David, the psalmist said: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Ps. 133:1)!
It is, therefore, God's will that Christians should not be at war with one another. But we see a lot of problems, fights, quarrels among brethren in the Bible. Lot caused a quarrel with his uncle Abraham (Gen. 13). Absalom created war for his father David (2 Sam. 13 - 18). Even the disciples created problems for the Lord when they argued over who was the greatest in the Kingdom (Luke 9:46 - 48).
When you examine some of the early Churches, you discover that they had their share of disagreements. The members of the Corinthian Church were competing with one another in the public meetings, and even suing one another in court (1 Cor. 6:1 - 8; 14:23 - 40). The Galatians believers were "biting and devouring" one another (Gal. 5:15). Paul had to admonish the Ephesians to cultivate spiritual unity (Eph. 4:1 - 16).
James mentioned several different kinds of disagreements among believers:
1. Class wars (James 2:1 - 9)
Here is the age-long rivalry between the rich and the poor. The rich man gets the attention, the poor man is ignored. The rich man is honored, the poor man is disgraced. How tragic it is when local Churches get their values confused and cater to the rich while they ignore, or even reject, the poor. If fellowship in a Church depends on such external things as clothing and economic status, then the Church is out of the will of God.
2. Employment wars (James 5:1 - 6)
Again, it is the rich man who has the power to control and hurt the poor man. Laborers do not get their wages, or they do not get their fair wages - less than adequate for the work they are doing.
3. Church fights (James 1:19, 20; 3:13 - 18)
Apparently, the believers James wrote to were at war with one another over positions in the Church, many of them wanting to be teachers and leaders. When they studied the Word, the result was not edification, but strife and arguments. Each person thought that his ideas were the only right ideas and his ways the only right ways. Selfich ambition ruled their meetings, not spiritual submission.
4. Personal wars (James 4:11, 12)
Christians were speaking evil of one another and judging one another, but are to speak "the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). They are not to speak evil in a spirit of rivalry and criticism. If the truth about a brother is harmful, then we should cover it in love and not to repeat it (1 Peter 4:8). If he has sinned, we should go to him personally and try to win him back (Matt. 18:15 - 19; Gal. 6:1, 2).
James was not forbidding us to use discrimination or even to evaluate people. Christians need to have discernment (Phil. 1:9, 10), but they must not act like God in passing judgment.
At war with ourselves (James 4:1 - 3)
James said: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in you members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasure" (James 4:1 - 3).
The war in the heart is helping to cause the wars in the Church (read James 3:14, 16)!
The essence of sin is selfishness. Eve disobeyed God because she wanted to eat of the tree and become wise like God. Abraham lied about his wife because he selfishly wanted to save his own life (Gen 12:10 - 20). Achan caused defeat to Israel because he selfishly took some forbidden loot from the ruins of Jericho (Josh. 7). Isaiah said: "We have turned, every one, to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6).
Often we veil our religious quarrels under the disguise of "spirituality." We are like Miriam and Aaron who complained about Moses' wife, but who really were envious Moses' authority (Num. 12). Or we imitate James and John who asked for special thrones in the Kingdom, when what we really want is recognition today (Mark 10:35 - 45). In both chastening and division among God's people, Miriam's sin halted the progress of Israel for a whole week!
Selfish desires are dangerous things. Firstly, they lead to wrong action - "You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war" (James 4:2). Secondly, they even lead to wrong praying - "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3).
When our praying is wrong, our whole Christian life is wrong. It has well been said that the purpose of praying is not to get man's will done in heaven, but to get God's will done on earth!
"Thou shalt not covet" is the last of God's Ten Commandments, but its violation can make us break all of the other nine! Covetousness can make a person murder, tell lies, dishonor his parents, commit adultery, and in one way or another violate all of God's moral law. Selfish living and selfish praying always lead to war. If there is war on the inside, there will ultimately be war on the outside.
People who are at war with themselves because of selfish desires are always unhappy people. They never enjoy life. Instead of being thankfull for the blessings they do have, they complain about the blessings they do not have. They cannot get along with other people because they are always envying others for what they have and do. They are always looking for that "magic something" that will change their lives, when the real problem is within their own hearts.
Sometimes we use prayer as a cloak to hide our true desires. "But I prayed about it!" can be one of the biggest excuses a Christian can use. Instead of seeking God's will, we tell God what He is supposed to do; and we get angry at Him if He does not obey. This anger at God eventually spills over and we get angry at God's people. Many Church split have been caused by Christians who take out their frustrations with God on the members of the Church. Many a Church or family problem would be solved if people would only look into their own heart and see the battle ragging there.
At war with God (James 4:4 - 10)
James said: "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:4 - 10).
The root cause of every war, internal and external, is rebellion against God. At the beginning of creation, you behold perfect harmony; but sin came into the world, and this led to conflict. Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4), and lawlessness is rebellion against God.
How does a believer declare war against God? By being friendly with God's enemies. James names three enemies that we must not fraternize with if we want to be a peace with God - the world, the flesh and the Devil. Let us briefly consider each of the three enemies:
1. The world (James 4:4)
By the "world," James means, of course, human society apart from God. The whole system of things in this society of ours is anti-Christ and anti-God. Abraham was the friend of God (James 2:23). Lot was the friend of the world. Lot ended up in a war, and abraham had to rescue him (Gen. 14).
A Christian gets involved with the world gradually and never suddenly. First, there is "the friendship of the world" (James 4:4). This results in being "spotted" by the world (James 1:27) so that areas of our lives meet with the approval of the world. Friendship leads to loving the world (1 John 2:15 - 17), and this makes it easy to conform to the world (Rom. 12:2). The sad result is being condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). Our souls will be saved, "yet as through fire" (1 Cor. 3:11 - 15).
Friendship with the world is compared to adultery. The believer is "married to Christ" (Rom. 7:4) and ought to be faithful to Him. The Jewish Christians who read the Epistle to the Romans would understand this picture of "spiritual adultery" because the prophets Ezekiel (Ezek. 23), Jeremiah (Jer. 3:1 - 5), and Hosea (Hosea 1, 2) used it when rebuked Judah for her sins. By adopting the sinful ways of the other nations, and by worshiping their gods, the nation of Judah committed adultery against God.
The world is the enemy of God, and whoever wills to be a friend of the world cannot be the friend of God.
2. The flesh (James 4:1)
"The flesh" is the old nature (or the "old man" - Rom. 6:6) that we inherited from Adam that is prone to sin. the flesh is not the body. The body is not sinful but neutrl. The Spirit may use the body to glorify God, or the flesh may use the body to serve sin. When a sinner yields to Christ, he receives a new nature within, but the old nature is neither removed nor reformed. For this reason, there is a battle within - "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do no do the things that you wish" (Gal 5:17). This is what James terms, "... your lusts that war in your members" (James 4:1, KJV).
Living for the flesh means grieving the Spirit of God who lives in us (Eph. 4:30). Just as the world is enemy of God the Father, so the flesh is the enemy of God the Holy Spirit. There is a holy, loving jealousy that a husband and wife have over each other, and rightly so. The Spirit within jealously guards our relationship to God, and the Spirit is grieved when we sin against God's love. That is why James said: "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously" (James 4:5).
Living to please the old nature means to declare war against God - "The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). To allow the flesh to control the mind is to lose the blessing of fellowship with God. Abraham had a spiritual mind; he walked with God and enjoyed peace. On the other hand, Lot had a carnal mind; he disobeyed God and experienced war - "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom 8:6).
3. The Devil (James 4:6, 7)
The world is in conflict with the Father; the flesh fights against the Holy Spirit; and the Devil opposes the Son of God. Pride is Satan's great sin, and it is one of his chief weapons in his warfare against Christian and Christ. God wants us to be humble; Satan wants us to be proud. Satan deceived Eve and she believed him when he said, "You will be like God" (Gen. 3:5). Therefore, a new Christian must not be put into places of spiritual leadership - "... not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:6).
God wants us to depend on His grace, while the Devil wants us to depend on ourselves. Satan enjoys inflating the ego and encouraging the believer to do it his own way. In spite of Jesus' warning about Satan's plans, Peter fell into the snare, pulled out his sword, and tried to accomplish God's will in his own way. What a mess he made of things!
One of the problems in our Churches today is that we have too many celebrities and not enough servants. Christian workers are promised so much that there is very little place left for God's glory. Man has nothing to be proud of in himself. In us nothing good dwells (Rom. 7:18); but when we trust Christ, He puts that "good thing" in us that makes us His children (2 Tim. 1:6, 14).
God's remedies
Christ has delivered us from the world, the flesh and the Devil. But they still attack us. James give us three instructions to follow if we would enjoy peace instead of war - submit to God, draw near to God, and humble ourselves before God.
1. Submit to God (James 4:7)
Unconditional surrender to God is the only way to complete victory. If there is any area of the life kept back from God, there will always be battles. This explains why uncommitted Christians cannot live with themselves or with other people. The way to resist the Davel is to submit to God.
2. Draw near to God (James 4:8)
How do we do that? By confessing our sins and asking for His cleansing. God graciously draws near to us when we deal with the sin in our lives that keeps Him at a distance. He will not share us with anyone else; He must have complete control.
3. Humble ourselves before God (James 4:9, 10)
It is possible to submit ourselves outwardly and yet not be humbled inwardly. God hates the sin of pride (Prov. 6:16, 17). He will chasten the proud believer until he is humbled.
David, the psalmist said: "A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not dispise" (Ps. 51:17).
Conclusion
If we obey these three instruction, then God will draw near, cleanse us, and forgive us; and the wars will cease! We will not be at war with God, so we will not be at war with ourselves. This means we will not be at war with others.
Isaiah said: "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever" (Isaiah 32:17).
James discussed this important theme of war in James 4:1 - 12. He explained that there were three wars going on in the world - at war with one another, at war with ourselves and at war with God. He also told us how these wars could be stopped.
At war with one another (James 4:1, 11, 12)
James said: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another" (James 4:1, 11, 12, NKJV)?
James was talking about Christians at war with one another. Surely brethren should live together in love and harmony, yet often they do not. David, the psalmist said: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Ps. 133:1)!
It is, therefore, God's will that Christians should not be at war with one another. But we see a lot of problems, fights, quarrels among brethren in the Bible. Lot caused a quarrel with his uncle Abraham (Gen. 13). Absalom created war for his father David (2 Sam. 13 - 18). Even the disciples created problems for the Lord when they argued over who was the greatest in the Kingdom (Luke 9:46 - 48).
When you examine some of the early Churches, you discover that they had their share of disagreements. The members of the Corinthian Church were competing with one another in the public meetings, and even suing one another in court (1 Cor. 6:1 - 8; 14:23 - 40). The Galatians believers were "biting and devouring" one another (Gal. 5:15). Paul had to admonish the Ephesians to cultivate spiritual unity (Eph. 4:1 - 16).
James mentioned several different kinds of disagreements among believers:
1. Class wars (James 2:1 - 9)
Here is the age-long rivalry between the rich and the poor. The rich man gets the attention, the poor man is ignored. The rich man is honored, the poor man is disgraced. How tragic it is when local Churches get their values confused and cater to the rich while they ignore, or even reject, the poor. If fellowship in a Church depends on such external things as clothing and economic status, then the Church is out of the will of God.
2. Employment wars (James 5:1 - 6)
Again, it is the rich man who has the power to control and hurt the poor man. Laborers do not get their wages, or they do not get their fair wages - less than adequate for the work they are doing.
3. Church fights (James 1:19, 20; 3:13 - 18)
Apparently, the believers James wrote to were at war with one another over positions in the Church, many of them wanting to be teachers and leaders. When they studied the Word, the result was not edification, but strife and arguments. Each person thought that his ideas were the only right ideas and his ways the only right ways. Selfich ambition ruled their meetings, not spiritual submission.
4. Personal wars (James 4:11, 12)
Christians were speaking evil of one another and judging one another, but are to speak "the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). They are not to speak evil in a spirit of rivalry and criticism. If the truth about a brother is harmful, then we should cover it in love and not to repeat it (1 Peter 4:8). If he has sinned, we should go to him personally and try to win him back (Matt. 18:15 - 19; Gal. 6:1, 2).
James was not forbidding us to use discrimination or even to evaluate people. Christians need to have discernment (Phil. 1:9, 10), but they must not act like God in passing judgment.
At war with ourselves (James 4:1 - 3)
James said: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in you members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasure" (James 4:1 - 3).
The war in the heart is helping to cause the wars in the Church (read James 3:14, 16)!
The essence of sin is selfishness. Eve disobeyed God because she wanted to eat of the tree and become wise like God. Abraham lied about his wife because he selfishly wanted to save his own life (Gen 12:10 - 20). Achan caused defeat to Israel because he selfishly took some forbidden loot from the ruins of Jericho (Josh. 7). Isaiah said: "We have turned, every one, to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6).
Often we veil our religious quarrels under the disguise of "spirituality." We are like Miriam and Aaron who complained about Moses' wife, but who really were envious Moses' authority (Num. 12). Or we imitate James and John who asked for special thrones in the Kingdom, when what we really want is recognition today (Mark 10:35 - 45). In both chastening and division among God's people, Miriam's sin halted the progress of Israel for a whole week!
Selfish desires are dangerous things. Firstly, they lead to wrong action - "You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war" (James 4:2). Secondly, they even lead to wrong praying - "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3).
When our praying is wrong, our whole Christian life is wrong. It has well been said that the purpose of praying is not to get man's will done in heaven, but to get God's will done on earth!
"Thou shalt not covet" is the last of God's Ten Commandments, but its violation can make us break all of the other nine! Covetousness can make a person murder, tell lies, dishonor his parents, commit adultery, and in one way or another violate all of God's moral law. Selfish living and selfish praying always lead to war. If there is war on the inside, there will ultimately be war on the outside.
People who are at war with themselves because of selfish desires are always unhappy people. They never enjoy life. Instead of being thankfull for the blessings they do have, they complain about the blessings they do not have. They cannot get along with other people because they are always envying others for what they have and do. They are always looking for that "magic something" that will change their lives, when the real problem is within their own hearts.
Sometimes we use prayer as a cloak to hide our true desires. "But I prayed about it!" can be one of the biggest excuses a Christian can use. Instead of seeking God's will, we tell God what He is supposed to do; and we get angry at Him if He does not obey. This anger at God eventually spills over and we get angry at God's people. Many Church split have been caused by Christians who take out their frustrations with God on the members of the Church. Many a Church or family problem would be solved if people would only look into their own heart and see the battle ragging there.
At war with God (James 4:4 - 10)
James said: "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, 'The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously'? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:4 - 10).
The root cause of every war, internal and external, is rebellion against God. At the beginning of creation, you behold perfect harmony; but sin came into the world, and this led to conflict. Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4), and lawlessness is rebellion against God.
How does a believer declare war against God? By being friendly with God's enemies. James names three enemies that we must not fraternize with if we want to be a peace with God - the world, the flesh and the Devil. Let us briefly consider each of the three enemies:
1. The world (James 4:4)
By the "world," James means, of course, human society apart from God. The whole system of things in this society of ours is anti-Christ and anti-God. Abraham was the friend of God (James 2:23). Lot was the friend of the world. Lot ended up in a war, and abraham had to rescue him (Gen. 14).
A Christian gets involved with the world gradually and never suddenly. First, there is "the friendship of the world" (James 4:4). This results in being "spotted" by the world (James 1:27) so that areas of our lives meet with the approval of the world. Friendship leads to loving the world (1 John 2:15 - 17), and this makes it easy to conform to the world (Rom. 12:2). The sad result is being condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). Our souls will be saved, "yet as through fire" (1 Cor. 3:11 - 15).
Friendship with the world is compared to adultery. The believer is "married to Christ" (Rom. 7:4) and ought to be faithful to Him. The Jewish Christians who read the Epistle to the Romans would understand this picture of "spiritual adultery" because the prophets Ezekiel (Ezek. 23), Jeremiah (Jer. 3:1 - 5), and Hosea (Hosea 1, 2) used it when rebuked Judah for her sins. By adopting the sinful ways of the other nations, and by worshiping their gods, the nation of Judah committed adultery against God.
The world is the enemy of God, and whoever wills to be a friend of the world cannot be the friend of God.
2. The flesh (James 4:1)
"The flesh" is the old nature (or the "old man" - Rom. 6:6) that we inherited from Adam that is prone to sin. the flesh is not the body. The body is not sinful but neutrl. The Spirit may use the body to glorify God, or the flesh may use the body to serve sin. When a sinner yields to Christ, he receives a new nature within, but the old nature is neither removed nor reformed. For this reason, there is a battle within - "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do no do the things that you wish" (Gal 5:17). This is what James terms, "... your lusts that war in your members" (James 4:1, KJV).
Living for the flesh means grieving the Spirit of God who lives in us (Eph. 4:30). Just as the world is enemy of God the Father, so the flesh is the enemy of God the Holy Spirit. There is a holy, loving jealousy that a husband and wife have over each other, and rightly so. The Spirit within jealously guards our relationship to God, and the Spirit is grieved when we sin against God's love. That is why James said: "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously" (James 4:5).
Living to please the old nature means to declare war against God - "The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). To allow the flesh to control the mind is to lose the blessing of fellowship with God. Abraham had a spiritual mind; he walked with God and enjoyed peace. On the other hand, Lot had a carnal mind; he disobeyed God and experienced war - "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom 8:6).
3. The Devil (James 4:6, 7)
The world is in conflict with the Father; the flesh fights against the Holy Spirit; and the Devil opposes the Son of God. Pride is Satan's great sin, and it is one of his chief weapons in his warfare against Christian and Christ. God wants us to be humble; Satan wants us to be proud. Satan deceived Eve and she believed him when he said, "You will be like God" (Gen. 3:5). Therefore, a new Christian must not be put into places of spiritual leadership - "... not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation of the devil" (1 Tim. 3:6).
God wants us to depend on His grace, while the Devil wants us to depend on ourselves. Satan enjoys inflating the ego and encouraging the believer to do it his own way. In spite of Jesus' warning about Satan's plans, Peter fell into the snare, pulled out his sword, and tried to accomplish God's will in his own way. What a mess he made of things!
One of the problems in our Churches today is that we have too many celebrities and not enough servants. Christian workers are promised so much that there is very little place left for God's glory. Man has nothing to be proud of in himself. In us nothing good dwells (Rom. 7:18); but when we trust Christ, He puts that "good thing" in us that makes us His children (2 Tim. 1:6, 14).
God's remedies
Christ has delivered us from the world, the flesh and the Devil. But they still attack us. James give us three instructions to follow if we would enjoy peace instead of war - submit to God, draw near to God, and humble ourselves before God.
1. Submit to God (James 4:7)
Unconditional surrender to God is the only way to complete victory. If there is any area of the life kept back from God, there will always be battles. This explains why uncommitted Christians cannot live with themselves or with other people. The way to resist the Davel is to submit to God.
2. Draw near to God (James 4:8)
How do we do that? By confessing our sins and asking for His cleansing. God graciously draws near to us when we deal with the sin in our lives that keeps Him at a distance. He will not share us with anyone else; He must have complete control.
3. Humble ourselves before God (James 4:9, 10)
It is possible to submit ourselves outwardly and yet not be humbled inwardly. God hates the sin of pride (Prov. 6:16, 17). He will chasten the proud believer until he is humbled.
David, the psalmist said: "A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not dispise" (Ps. 51:17).
Conclusion
If we obey these three instruction, then God will draw near, cleanse us, and forgive us; and the wars will cease! We will not be at war with God, so we will not be at war with ourselves. This means we will not be at war with others.
Isaiah said: "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever" (Isaiah 32:17).
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
True Wisdom and False Wisdom
James said: "Who is the wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the 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. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:13 - 18, NKJV).
Wisdom was an important thing to Jewish people. They realized that it was not enough to have knowledge; you had to have wisdom to be able to use the knowledge correctly. Most of us know people who are very intelligent, perhaps almost geniuses, and yet who seemingly are unable to carry out the simplest tasks of life. They can run computers but they cannot manage their own life.
Solomon said: "Wisdom is the principal things; therefore get wisdom" (Prov. 4:7).
James continued to exhort the people in the assembly who wanted to be teachers of the Word (James 3:1). It is not enough simply to stand before the people and say words; you must have some thing to say. This is where spiritual wisdom comes in. Knowledge enables us to take things apart, but wisdom enables us to put things together and relate God's truth to daily life.
There are preachers and Bible teachers who say many good things, but who somehow miss the heart of God's message and fail to relate truth to everyday life. It is this kind of "knowledge without wisdom" that James is writing about. He is contrasting true wisdom and false wisdom in three different aspects - Contrast in origin, contrast in operation and contrast in outcomes.
Constrast in origin (James 3:15, 17)
James said: "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. But the 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 3:15, 17).
The true wisdom comes from above, but the false wisdom comes from below. In other words, there is a "heavenly wisdom" that comes from God, and there is a "man-made wisdom" that does not come from God. Whatever does not come from God is destined to fail, no matter how successful it may seem at the time.
The Bible contains many examples of the folly of man's wisdom. Here are some of them:
1. This building of the Tower of Babel seemed like a wise enterprise, but it ended in failure and confusion (Gen. 11:1 - 9).
2. It seemed wise for Abraham to go to Egypt when famine came to Canaan, but the results proved otherwise (Gen. 12:10 - 20).
3. The disciples thought it was wise to dismiss the great crowd and let them find their food; but Jesus took a few loaves and fishes and fed the multitude (Matt. 14:13 - 12).
4. The Roman "experts" in Acts 27 thought it was wise to leave port and sail for Rome, even though Paul disagreed; and the storm that followed proved that Paul's wisdom was better than their expert counsel.
What is the origin of man's wisdom? - "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic" (James 3:15).
The believer has three enemies - the world, the flesh, and the Devil (Eph. 2:1 - 3). These enemies are suggested by the terms "earthly, sensual, devilish (demonic)."
There is a "wisdom of the world" (1 Cor. 1:20, 21). Do not confuse the world's knowledge and the world's wisdom. Certainly, there is a great deal of knowledge in the world, and we all benefit from it; but there is not much wisdom. Man unlocks the secrets of the universe, but he does not know what to do with them. Someone warned that we had "improved means to unimproved ends!" Someone bought a luxurious fast car for the purpose of saving a few minutes of travelling time between two towns daily. But he does not know what significant thing he will do with the few minutes he is saving!
The world by its wisdom knew not God, and in its wisdom rejects the very Gospel of God. Paul said: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, ..." (1 Cor. 1:18). Man's wisdom is foolishness to God (1 Cor. 1:20), and God's wisdom is foolishness to man (1 Cor. 2:14). Man's wisdom comes from reason, while God's wisdom comes from revelation. Man's worldly wisdom will come to nothing (1 Cor. 1:19), while God's wisdom will endure forever.
Because the world has turned from God, it has lost its wisdom. Every increase in man's knowledge only magnifies the problems. Solomon said: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Prov. 9:10). Paul said: "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom. 3:18).
This false wisdom had another source - it is "sensual," that is, it is "natural." It is man's fallen nature as opposed to the new nature given by God. There is a wisdom that gets its origin in man's nature totally apart from the Spirit of God.
This "wisdom does not descend from above" (James 3:15) is also "demonic" or "devilish." Beginning with Genesis 3, where Satan successfully deceived Eve, and continuing through the entire Bible, there is "wisdom of Satan" at work, fighting against the wisdom of God. Satan convinced Eve that she would be like God. He told her that the tree would make her wise. Ever since that event, people have continued to believe Satan's lies and have tried the become their own gods (Rom. 1:18 - 25). Satan is cunning; he is the old serpent! He has wisdom that will confound and confuse you if you do not know the wisdom of God.
In contrast to the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish, James described a "wisdom that is from above" (James 3:17). Earlier, James said: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, ..." (James 1:17). Because of this, the Christian looks up to heaven for all that he needs. His citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). The believer's home is in heaven (John 14:1 - 6) and his hope is in heaven. He sets his affection and attention on things above, not on earthly things (Col. 2:3).
What is the Christian's wisdom and where does he look for true wisdom? He cannot find true wisdom in the world because to begin with, Jesus Christ is our wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24, 30). In Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3).
The Word of God is also our wisdom. Moses said to Israel: "Surely I have taught you statues and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding ..." (Deut. 4:5, 6, emphasis added). Paul said: "... and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15, emphasis added).
James 1:5 indicates that we find wisdom through prayer.
The origin of true spiritual wisdom is God. To get your wisdom from any other source is to ask for trouble!
Contrast in operation (James 3:13, 14, 17)
James said: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. But the 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 3:13, 14, 17, emphasis added).
The wisdom from above, God's wisdom, operates in a different way from the wisdom that is "earthly, sensual, demonic." Since they originate from the radically different sources, they must operate in opposite ways. Let us look at the evidences of the false wisdom and the true wisdom.
Evidences of false wisdom
1. Envy (James 3:14)
This word carries the meaning selfish ambition and zeal. It ties in with James 3:1, where James warned us not to be ambitious for spiritual offices.
It is easy to go on an ego trip under the guise of spiritual zeal. The first Apostles argued over who was the greatest in the Kingdom. The Pharisees use their religious activities to promote the praise of men (Matt. 6:1 - 18). We ought to be zealous in the things of the Lord, but we must be sure that motives are right.
2. Strife (self-seeking) (James 3:14)
This word means "party spirit" which only creates rivalry and division in the Church. Paul said: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better thamselves" (Phil. 2:3, KJV).
3. Boasting (James 3:14)
Pride loves to boast, and nothing is prouder than the wisdom of men. There is a way to report blessings so that God gets the glory, but there is also an approach that gives the praise to men. In 2 Cor. 10, when Paul was forced to boast about his ministry, he was careful to give the glory to God (2 Cor. 10:12).
When God's wisdom is at work, there is a sense of humility and submission, and you want God to get all the glory. You have no desire to compare yourself with any other Christian, because you see only Christ - and compared with Him.
4. Deceit (James 3:14)
Being deceitful means always "lie against the truth." According to James, Christians, by their inconsistent living they were giving a lie to the truth of the Gospel.
Evidences of true wisdom
1. Meekness or self-control (James 3:13)
Meekness is not weakness; it is power under control. The meek person does not selfishly assert himself. He seeks only the glory of God and does not cater to the praises of men. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23); it cannot be manufactured by man.
2. Purity (James 3:17)
"Purity" means "holy, chaste and free from defilement." James said: "First pure" - this indicates the importance of holiness. God is holy, therefore the wisdom from above is pure.
3. Peace (James 3:17)
Man's wisdom leads to competition, rivalry, and war (James 4:1, 2); but God's wisdom leads to peace. It is a peace based on holiness, not on compromise. The peace of the Church is not more important than the purity of the Church. If the Church is pure, devoted to God, then there will be peace.
4. Gentleness (James 3:17)
"Gentleness" is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23). The gentle person does not deliberately cause fights, but neither does he compromise the truth in order to keep peace.
5. Compliance or willing to yield (James 3:17)
God's wisdom makes the believe agreeable and easy to live with and work with. Man's wisdom makes a person hard and stubborn. The compliant person is willing to hear all sides of a question, but he does not compromise his own conviction. He can disagree without being disagreeable.
6. Mercy (James 3:17)
To be "full" of something, in this context, means to be "control by." The person who follows God's wisdom is controlled by mercy.
Jesus said: "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36).
God, in His grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy, He does not give us what we deserve!
7. Good fruits (James 3:17)
People who are faithful are fruitful. God's wisdom does not make a life empty; it makes it full.
8. Decisiveness or without partiality (James 3:17)
The word suggests singleness of mind and is opposite of "wavering" (James 1:6). When you lean on the worlds wisdom, you are pressured from one side and then another to change your mind. When you have God's wisdom, you need not waver.
9. Decisiveness or without partiality (James 3:17)
The Greek word translated "hypocrite" means "one who wears a mask, an actor." When man's wisdom is at work, there must be insincerity and pretense. When God's wisdom is at work, there is openness and honesty - "speeking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). Wherever you find God's people pretending and hiding, you can be sure the wisdom of the world is governing the ministry.
There is quite a contrast between the operation of God's wisdom and the operation of the wisdom of this world. It would be profitable for Church leaders to evaluate their own lives and their ministries in the light of what James has written.
Contrast in outcomes (James 3:16, 18)
James said: "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:16, 18).
Origin determines outcome. Worldly wisdom will produce worldly results; spiritual wisdom will give spiritual results.
Worldly wisdom produces trouble - Envy, self-seeking, confusion, evil works. Wrong thinking produces wrong living. One reason why the world is in such a mess is because men have refused to accept the wisdom of God.
The most important thing we can do in our Local Churches is measure our ministries by the Word of God, not by the wisdom of men. The many battles among Christians, Church splits, the absence of purity and peace, all suggest that there is the absence of the wisdom of God.
There is a vast difference between man-made results and God-given fruit. The Christian life is sowing and reaping. The Christian who obeys God's wisdom sows righteousness, not sin; and peace not war. The life we live enables the Lord to bring righteousness and peace into the lives of others.
Wisdom was an important thing to Jewish people. They realized that it was not enough to have knowledge; you had to have wisdom to be able to use the knowledge correctly. Most of us know people who are very intelligent, perhaps almost geniuses, and yet who seemingly are unable to carry out the simplest tasks of life. They can run computers but they cannot manage their own life.
Solomon said: "Wisdom is the principal things; therefore get wisdom" (Prov. 4:7).
James continued to exhort the people in the assembly who wanted to be teachers of the Word (James 3:1). It is not enough simply to stand before the people and say words; you must have some thing to say. This is where spiritual wisdom comes in. Knowledge enables us to take things apart, but wisdom enables us to put things together and relate God's truth to daily life.
There are preachers and Bible teachers who say many good things, but who somehow miss the heart of God's message and fail to relate truth to everyday life. It is this kind of "knowledge without wisdom" that James is writing about. He is contrasting true wisdom and false wisdom in three different aspects - Contrast in origin, contrast in operation and contrast in outcomes.
Constrast in origin (James 3:15, 17)
James said: "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. But the 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 3:15, 17).
The true wisdom comes from above, but the false wisdom comes from below. In other words, there is a "heavenly wisdom" that comes from God, and there is a "man-made wisdom" that does not come from God. Whatever does not come from God is destined to fail, no matter how successful it may seem at the time.
The Bible contains many examples of the folly of man's wisdom. Here are some of them:
1. This building of the Tower of Babel seemed like a wise enterprise, but it ended in failure and confusion (Gen. 11:1 - 9).
2. It seemed wise for Abraham to go to Egypt when famine came to Canaan, but the results proved otherwise (Gen. 12:10 - 20).
3. The disciples thought it was wise to dismiss the great crowd and let them find their food; but Jesus took a few loaves and fishes and fed the multitude (Matt. 14:13 - 12).
4. The Roman "experts" in Acts 27 thought it was wise to leave port and sail for Rome, even though Paul disagreed; and the storm that followed proved that Paul's wisdom was better than their expert counsel.
What is the origin of man's wisdom? - "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic" (James 3:15).
The believer has three enemies - the world, the flesh, and the Devil (Eph. 2:1 - 3). These enemies are suggested by the terms "earthly, sensual, devilish (demonic)."
There is a "wisdom of the world" (1 Cor. 1:20, 21). Do not confuse the world's knowledge and the world's wisdom. Certainly, there is a great deal of knowledge in the world, and we all benefit from it; but there is not much wisdom. Man unlocks the secrets of the universe, but he does not know what to do with them. Someone warned that we had "improved means to unimproved ends!" Someone bought a luxurious fast car for the purpose of saving a few minutes of travelling time between two towns daily. But he does not know what significant thing he will do with the few minutes he is saving!
The world by its wisdom knew not God, and in its wisdom rejects the very Gospel of God. Paul said: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, ..." (1 Cor. 1:18). Man's wisdom is foolishness to God (1 Cor. 1:20), and God's wisdom is foolishness to man (1 Cor. 2:14). Man's wisdom comes from reason, while God's wisdom comes from revelation. Man's worldly wisdom will come to nothing (1 Cor. 1:19), while God's wisdom will endure forever.
Because the world has turned from God, it has lost its wisdom. Every increase in man's knowledge only magnifies the problems. Solomon said: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Prov. 9:10). Paul said: "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom. 3:18).
This false wisdom had another source - it is "sensual," that is, it is "natural." It is man's fallen nature as opposed to the new nature given by God. There is a wisdom that gets its origin in man's nature totally apart from the Spirit of God.
This "wisdom does not descend from above" (James 3:15) is also "demonic" or "devilish." Beginning with Genesis 3, where Satan successfully deceived Eve, and continuing through the entire Bible, there is "wisdom of Satan" at work, fighting against the wisdom of God. Satan convinced Eve that she would be like God. He told her that the tree would make her wise. Ever since that event, people have continued to believe Satan's lies and have tried the become their own gods (Rom. 1:18 - 25). Satan is cunning; he is the old serpent! He has wisdom that will confound and confuse you if you do not know the wisdom of God.
In contrast to the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish, James described a "wisdom that is from above" (James 3:17). Earlier, James said: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, ..." (James 1:17). Because of this, the Christian looks up to heaven for all that he needs. His citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). The believer's home is in heaven (John 14:1 - 6) and his hope is in heaven. He sets his affection and attention on things above, not on earthly things (Col. 2:3).
What is the Christian's wisdom and where does he look for true wisdom? He cannot find true wisdom in the world because to begin with, Jesus Christ is our wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24, 30). In Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3).
The Word of God is also our wisdom. Moses said to Israel: "Surely I have taught you statues and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding ..." (Deut. 4:5, 6, emphasis added). Paul said: "... and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15, emphasis added).
James 1:5 indicates that we find wisdom through prayer.
The origin of true spiritual wisdom is God. To get your wisdom from any other source is to ask for trouble!
Contrast in operation (James 3:13, 14, 17)
James said: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. But the 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 3:13, 14, 17, emphasis added).
The wisdom from above, God's wisdom, operates in a different way from the wisdom that is "earthly, sensual, demonic." Since they originate from the radically different sources, they must operate in opposite ways. Let us look at the evidences of the false wisdom and the true wisdom.
Evidences of false wisdom
1. Envy (James 3:14)
This word carries the meaning selfish ambition and zeal. It ties in with James 3:1, where James warned us not to be ambitious for spiritual offices.
It is easy to go on an ego trip under the guise of spiritual zeal. The first Apostles argued over who was the greatest in the Kingdom. The Pharisees use their religious activities to promote the praise of men (Matt. 6:1 - 18). We ought to be zealous in the things of the Lord, but we must be sure that motives are right.
2. Strife (self-seeking) (James 3:14)
This word means "party spirit" which only creates rivalry and division in the Church. Paul said: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better thamselves" (Phil. 2:3, KJV).
3. Boasting (James 3:14)
Pride loves to boast, and nothing is prouder than the wisdom of men. There is a way to report blessings so that God gets the glory, but there is also an approach that gives the praise to men. In 2 Cor. 10, when Paul was forced to boast about his ministry, he was careful to give the glory to God (2 Cor. 10:12).
When God's wisdom is at work, there is a sense of humility and submission, and you want God to get all the glory. You have no desire to compare yourself with any other Christian, because you see only Christ - and compared with Him.
4. Deceit (James 3:14)
Being deceitful means always "lie against the truth." According to James, Christians, by their inconsistent living they were giving a lie to the truth of the Gospel.
Evidences of true wisdom
1. Meekness or self-control (James 3:13)
Meekness is not weakness; it is power under control. The meek person does not selfishly assert himself. He seeks only the glory of God and does not cater to the praises of men. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23); it cannot be manufactured by man.
2. Purity (James 3:17)
"Purity" means "holy, chaste and free from defilement." James said: "First pure" - this indicates the importance of holiness. God is holy, therefore the wisdom from above is pure.
3. Peace (James 3:17)
Man's wisdom leads to competition, rivalry, and war (James 4:1, 2); but God's wisdom leads to peace. It is a peace based on holiness, not on compromise. The peace of the Church is not more important than the purity of the Church. If the Church is pure, devoted to God, then there will be peace.
4. Gentleness (James 3:17)
"Gentleness" is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23). The gentle person does not deliberately cause fights, but neither does he compromise the truth in order to keep peace.
5. Compliance or willing to yield (James 3:17)
God's wisdom makes the believe agreeable and easy to live with and work with. Man's wisdom makes a person hard and stubborn. The compliant person is willing to hear all sides of a question, but he does not compromise his own conviction. He can disagree without being disagreeable.
6. Mercy (James 3:17)
To be "full" of something, in this context, means to be "control by." The person who follows God's wisdom is controlled by mercy.
Jesus said: "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36).
God, in His grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy, He does not give us what we deserve!
7. Good fruits (James 3:17)
People who are faithful are fruitful. God's wisdom does not make a life empty; it makes it full.
8. Decisiveness or without partiality (James 3:17)
The word suggests singleness of mind and is opposite of "wavering" (James 1:6). When you lean on the worlds wisdom, you are pressured from one side and then another to change your mind. When you have God's wisdom, you need not waver.
9. Decisiveness or without partiality (James 3:17)
The Greek word translated "hypocrite" means "one who wears a mask, an actor." When man's wisdom is at work, there must be insincerity and pretense. When God's wisdom is at work, there is openness and honesty - "speeking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). Wherever you find God's people pretending and hiding, you can be sure the wisdom of the world is governing the ministry.
There is quite a contrast between the operation of God's wisdom and the operation of the wisdom of this world. It would be profitable for Church leaders to evaluate their own lives and their ministries in the light of what James has written.
Contrast in outcomes (James 3:16, 18)
James said: "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:16, 18).
Origin determines outcome. Worldly wisdom will produce worldly results; spiritual wisdom will give spiritual results.
Worldly wisdom produces trouble - Envy, self-seeking, confusion, evil works. Wrong thinking produces wrong living. One reason why the world is in such a mess is because men have refused to accept the wisdom of God.
The most important thing we can do in our Local Churches is measure our ministries by the Word of God, not by the wisdom of men. The many battles among Christians, Church splits, the absence of purity and peace, all suggest that there is the absence of the wisdom of God.
There is a vast difference between man-made results and God-given fruit. The Christian life is sowing and reaping. The Christian who obeys God's wisdom sows righteousness, not sin; and peace not war. The life we live enables the Lord to bring righteousness and peace into the lives of others.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
The Powers of the Tongue
James has explained to us two characteristic of the mature Christian - he is patient in trouble (James 1), and he prctices the truth (James 2). In this section (James 3:1 - 12), he share the third characteristic of the mature believer - he has power over his tongue.
The power of speech is one of the greatest powers God has given us. With the tongue, man can praise God, pray, preach the Word, and lead the lost to Christ. What a privilege! But with that same tongue he can tell lies that could ruin a man's reputation or break a person's heart. The ability to speak words is the ability to influence others and accomplish tremendous tasks.
In order to impress upon us the importance of controlled speech, and the great consequence of our words, James gave us six pictures of the tongue - the bit, the rudder, fire, a poisonous animal, a spring (fountain), and a fig tree. You can put these six pictures into three meaningful classifications that reveal the three powers of the tongue - power to direct, the power to destroy and the power to delight.
Power to direct - the bit and the rudder (James 3:1 - 4)
James said: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires" (James 3:1 - 4, NKJV, emphasis added).
Apparently, everybody in the assembly wanted to teach and be a spiritual leader. Perhaps they were impressed with the authority and prestige of the office, and forgot about the tremendous responsibility and accountablilty. Those who teach the Word face the stricter judgment. Teachers must use their tougue to share God's truth, and it is easy to commit sins of the tongue. Furthermore, teachers must practice what they teach; otherwise, their teaching is hypocrisy. Think of the damage that can be done by a teacher who is unprepared, or whose spiritual life is not up to par.
But teachers are not the only ones who are tempted and sin, every Christian must admit that "we all stumble in many things" (James 3:2). And sins of the tongue seem to head the list. The person who is able to discipline his tongue gives evidence that he can control his whole body. Consequently, be becomes a mature (perfect) man.
In selecting the bit and the rudder, James presented two items that are small of themselves, yet exercise great power, just like the tongue. A small bit enables the rider to control the great horse, and a small rudder enables the pilot to steer the huge ship. The tongue is a small member in the body, and yet it has the power to accomplish great things.
Both the bit and the rudder must overcome contrary forces. The bit must overcome the wild nature of the horse, and the rudder must fight the winds and currents that would drive the ship off its course. The human tongue also must overcome contrary forces. We have an old nature that wants to control us and make us sin. There are circumstances around us that would make us say things we ought not say. Sin on the inside and pressures on the outside are seeking to get control of the tongue.
If we let Jesus Christ to control our tongue, then we need not fear saying the wrong things - or even saying the right things in a wrong way!
David prayed: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, ..." (Ps. 141:3, 4).
David knew that the heart is the key to right speech:
Jesus said: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34).
When Jesus Christ is the Lord of the heart, then He is Lord of the lips too.
The bit and rudder have the power to direct which means they affect the lives of others. A runaway horse or a shipwreck could mean injury or death to pedestrains or passengers. The words we speek affect the lives of other. A judge says "Guilty!" or "Not Guilty!" and those words affect the destiny of the prisoner, his family, and friends. Even a simple "Yes" or "No" from the lips of a parent can greatly affect the direction of a child's life.
Never underestimate the guidance you give by the words you speak or do not speak. Jesus spoke to a woman at a well, and her life and the life of her neighbors experienced a miraculous change (John 4). Peter preached at Pentecost and 3,000 souls came to salvation through faith in Christ (Acts 2).
It would do us all good to read frequently the Book of Proverbs, and to note especially the many references to speech:
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Prov. 15:1).
"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, ..." (Prov. 12:22).
"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" (Prov. 10:19).
Yes, the tongue is like a bit and a rudder; it has the power to direct. How important it is that our tongues direct people in the right way!
Power to destroy - the fire and the animal (James 3:5 - 8)
James said: "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:5 - 8).
The fire
A fire can begin with just a small spark, but it can grow to destroy a city. Our words can start fires.
Solomon said: "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife" (Prov. 26:20, 21).
In some Local Churches, there are members or officers who cannot control their tongues, and the result is destruction. I suggest they move out of town or be replaced in office, and let a beautiful spirit of harmony and love take over.
Like a fire, the tongue can "heat things up."
David, the psalmist said: "I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue. ... My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: ..." (Ps. 39:1, 3).
A hot head and a hot heart can lead to burning words that we will regret. God can help us in controlling our temper.
Solomon said: "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit" (Prov. 17:27).
Solomon also said: "He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly" (Prov. 14:29).
Fire not only starts small and grows, and creates heat; it also defiles. When the basement of a house suffers a fire, the smoke and fire damage so soiled (defiled) the upstairs of the house that the family has to move out while the house undergoes repair. Fiery words can defile a home, a fellowship and a Church. The only thing that can wash away that defilement is the blood of Jesus Christ.
Fire burns and hurts, and our words can burn and hurt. One of the sorrows our Lord had to bear when He was here on earth was the way His enemies talked about Him. They called Him a "glutton and a winebibber" (Matt. 11:19) because He graciously accepted invitations to dine with people the Pharisees did not like. When He performed miracles, they said He was in league with Satan. Even when He was dying on the cross, His enemies could not let Him alone but threw vicious taunts into His face.
James said: "The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire by hell" (James 3:6, emphasis added).
James suggests that all of life is connected like a wheel, and therefore we cannot keep things from spreading. A person's entire life can be injured or destoyed by the tongue. Time does not correct the sins of the tongue. We may confess our sins of speech, but the fire keeps on spreading.
The tongue is "set on fire by hell" because our words can break hearts and ruin reputations. They can also destroy souls by sending them into eternity without Christ. Therefore Paul suggests that our speech always be "with grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6).
The animal
Not only is the tongue like a fire, but it is also like a dangerous animal. It is restless and cannot be ruled (unruly), and it seeks its prey and then pounces and kills. Some animal are poisonous and some tongues spread poison. The deceptive thing about poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then kills. How many times has some malicious person injected a bit of poison into the conversation, hoping it would spread and finally get to the person he or she wanted to hurt? Poisonous tongues do great damage to individuals, families, fellowships, and entire Churches.
James reminds us that animals can be tamed; and, for that matter, fire can be tamed. When you tame an animal, you get a worker instead of a destroyer. When you control fire, you generate power. The tongue cannot be tamed by man, but can be tamed by God.
Your tongue needs not "set on fire by hell" (James 3:6). Like the Apostles at Pentecost, it can be set on fire from heaven! If God lights the fire and controls it, then the tongue can be a mighty tool for the winning of the lost and the building up of the Church.
Power to delight - the spring (fountain) and tree (James 3:9 - 12)
James said: "With it (the tongue) we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear fig? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh" (James 3:9 - 12).
The spring
The spring or fountain, of course, provides the cool water that man needs to stay alive. Man needs water not only for drinking, but also for washing, cooking, farming, and a host of other activities so necessary to life.
The following verses parallel what James has written and underscore the importance of our words:
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook" (Prov. 18:4).
"The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, ..." (Prov. 10:11).
"The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death" (Prov. 13:14).
Water is life-giving, and our words can give life. However, if water is not controlled, it bring death and destruction in the form of floods and landslides. Similarly, our tongue can bring death to the hearer.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, ..." (Prov. 18:21).
However, when we bend over a fountain for a drink of cool water, we rarely think of floods. we think only of the precious gift of refreshment that comes with a drink of water. we could not be healthy without enough water.
"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health" (Prov. 12:18).
The tongue of the wise refreshes and promotes health. Paul's prayer was that he might "refresh" the saints in Rome when he came to them (Rom. 15:32). He often named Christians who had refreshed him (1 Cor. 16:18; Phile. 7.20).
Water also cleanses. There was a laver in the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, provided for the cleansing of the priests' hands and feet. God's Word is the spiritual water that cleanses us (John 15:3; Eph. 5:26, 27). But our words to others can also help to cleanse and sanctify them. Our words ought to be like that river described in Ezekiel 47 that brought life to everything it touched.
A tree
The tongue is also delightful because it is like a tree. In Bible lands, trees are vitally important to the economy - they help to hold down the soil; they provide beauty and shade; and they bear fruit. Our words can help to shelter and encourage a weary traveler, and can help to feed the hungry soul.
"The lips of the righteous feed many, ..." (Prov. 10:21).
Jesus said: "... The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63).
As we share His Word with others, we feed them and encourage them along the way.
The most important thing about a tree is the root system. If the roots do not go down deep, the tree will not grow in a healthy manner. If we are rooted in the things of the Lord, then our words will be the fruit of our fellowship with Him. One reason our Lord was able to say the right words at the right times was because He communed with the Father and heard from heaven each day.
Isaiah said: "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the leaned" (Isa. 50:4).
If you and I are going to have tongues that delight, then we must meet with the Lord each day, in prayer and meditation, and permit the Spirit of God to fill our hearts with God's love and truth.
James understands our problem - the tongue that blesses the Father, and then turns around and curses men made in God's image. How easy to worship God in a Church service, and then get into the family car and argue and fight all the way home!
James said: "My brethren, these things ought not to be so" (James 3:10).
The power of speech is one of the greatest powers God has given us. With the tongue, man can praise God, pray, preach the Word, and lead the lost to Christ. What a privilege! But with that same tongue he can tell lies that could ruin a man's reputation or break a person's heart. The ability to speak words is the ability to influence others and accomplish tremendous tasks.
In order to impress upon us the importance of controlled speech, and the great consequence of our words, James gave us six pictures of the tongue - the bit, the rudder, fire, a poisonous animal, a spring (fountain), and a fig tree. You can put these six pictures into three meaningful classifications that reveal the three powers of the tongue - power to direct, the power to destroy and the power to delight.
Power to direct - the bit and the rudder (James 3:1 - 4)
James said: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires" (James 3:1 - 4, NKJV, emphasis added).
Apparently, everybody in the assembly wanted to teach and be a spiritual leader. Perhaps they were impressed with the authority and prestige of the office, and forgot about the tremendous responsibility and accountablilty. Those who teach the Word face the stricter judgment. Teachers must use their tougue to share God's truth, and it is easy to commit sins of the tongue. Furthermore, teachers must practice what they teach; otherwise, their teaching is hypocrisy. Think of the damage that can be done by a teacher who is unprepared, or whose spiritual life is not up to par.
But teachers are not the only ones who are tempted and sin, every Christian must admit that "we all stumble in many things" (James 3:2). And sins of the tongue seem to head the list. The person who is able to discipline his tongue gives evidence that he can control his whole body. Consequently, be becomes a mature (perfect) man.
In selecting the bit and the rudder, James presented two items that are small of themselves, yet exercise great power, just like the tongue. A small bit enables the rider to control the great horse, and a small rudder enables the pilot to steer the huge ship. The tongue is a small member in the body, and yet it has the power to accomplish great things.
Both the bit and the rudder must overcome contrary forces. The bit must overcome the wild nature of the horse, and the rudder must fight the winds and currents that would drive the ship off its course. The human tongue also must overcome contrary forces. We have an old nature that wants to control us and make us sin. There are circumstances around us that would make us say things we ought not say. Sin on the inside and pressures on the outside are seeking to get control of the tongue.
If we let Jesus Christ to control our tongue, then we need not fear saying the wrong things - or even saying the right things in a wrong way!
David prayed: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, ..." (Ps. 141:3, 4).
David knew that the heart is the key to right speech:
Jesus said: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34).
When Jesus Christ is the Lord of the heart, then He is Lord of the lips too.
The bit and rudder have the power to direct which means they affect the lives of others. A runaway horse or a shipwreck could mean injury or death to pedestrains or passengers. The words we speek affect the lives of other. A judge says "Guilty!" or "Not Guilty!" and those words affect the destiny of the prisoner, his family, and friends. Even a simple "Yes" or "No" from the lips of a parent can greatly affect the direction of a child's life.
Never underestimate the guidance you give by the words you speak or do not speak. Jesus spoke to a woman at a well, and her life and the life of her neighbors experienced a miraculous change (John 4). Peter preached at Pentecost and 3,000 souls came to salvation through faith in Christ (Acts 2).
It would do us all good to read frequently the Book of Proverbs, and to note especially the many references to speech:
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Prov. 15:1).
"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, ..." (Prov. 12:22).
"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" (Prov. 10:19).
Yes, the tongue is like a bit and a rudder; it has the power to direct. How important it is that our tongues direct people in the right way!
Power to destroy - the fire and the animal (James 3:5 - 8)
James said: "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:5 - 8).
The fire
A fire can begin with just a small spark, but it can grow to destroy a city. Our words can start fires.
Solomon said: "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife" (Prov. 26:20, 21).
In some Local Churches, there are members or officers who cannot control their tongues, and the result is destruction. I suggest they move out of town or be replaced in office, and let a beautiful spirit of harmony and love take over.
Like a fire, the tongue can "heat things up."
David, the psalmist said: "I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue. ... My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: ..." (Ps. 39:1, 3).
A hot head and a hot heart can lead to burning words that we will regret. God can help us in controlling our temper.
Solomon said: "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit" (Prov. 17:27).
Solomon also said: "He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly" (Prov. 14:29).
Fire not only starts small and grows, and creates heat; it also defiles. When the basement of a house suffers a fire, the smoke and fire damage so soiled (defiled) the upstairs of the house that the family has to move out while the house undergoes repair. Fiery words can defile a home, a fellowship and a Church. The only thing that can wash away that defilement is the blood of Jesus Christ.
Fire burns and hurts, and our words can burn and hurt. One of the sorrows our Lord had to bear when He was here on earth was the way His enemies talked about Him. They called Him a "glutton and a winebibber" (Matt. 11:19) because He graciously accepted invitations to dine with people the Pharisees did not like. When He performed miracles, they said He was in league with Satan. Even when He was dying on the cross, His enemies could not let Him alone but threw vicious taunts into His face.
James said: "The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire by hell" (James 3:6, emphasis added).
James suggests that all of life is connected like a wheel, and therefore we cannot keep things from spreading. A person's entire life can be injured or destoyed by the tongue. Time does not correct the sins of the tongue. We may confess our sins of speech, but the fire keeps on spreading.
The tongue is "set on fire by hell" because our words can break hearts and ruin reputations. They can also destroy souls by sending them into eternity without Christ. Therefore Paul suggests that our speech always be "with grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6).
The animal
Not only is the tongue like a fire, but it is also like a dangerous animal. It is restless and cannot be ruled (unruly), and it seeks its prey and then pounces and kills. Some animal are poisonous and some tongues spread poison. The deceptive thing about poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then kills. How many times has some malicious person injected a bit of poison into the conversation, hoping it would spread and finally get to the person he or she wanted to hurt? Poisonous tongues do great damage to individuals, families, fellowships, and entire Churches.
James reminds us that animals can be tamed; and, for that matter, fire can be tamed. When you tame an animal, you get a worker instead of a destroyer. When you control fire, you generate power. The tongue cannot be tamed by man, but can be tamed by God.
Your tongue needs not "set on fire by hell" (James 3:6). Like the Apostles at Pentecost, it can be set on fire from heaven! If God lights the fire and controls it, then the tongue can be a mighty tool for the winning of the lost and the building up of the Church.
Power to delight - the spring (fountain) and tree (James 3:9 - 12)
James said: "With it (the tongue) we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear fig? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh" (James 3:9 - 12).
The spring
The spring or fountain, of course, provides the cool water that man needs to stay alive. Man needs water not only for drinking, but also for washing, cooking, farming, and a host of other activities so necessary to life.
The following verses parallel what James has written and underscore the importance of our words:
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook" (Prov. 18:4).
"The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, ..." (Prov. 10:11).
"The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death" (Prov. 13:14).
Water is life-giving, and our words can give life. However, if water is not controlled, it bring death and destruction in the form of floods and landslides. Similarly, our tongue can bring death to the hearer.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, ..." (Prov. 18:21).
However, when we bend over a fountain for a drink of cool water, we rarely think of floods. we think only of the precious gift of refreshment that comes with a drink of water. we could not be healthy without enough water.
"There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health" (Prov. 12:18).
The tongue of the wise refreshes and promotes health. Paul's prayer was that he might "refresh" the saints in Rome when he came to them (Rom. 15:32). He often named Christians who had refreshed him (1 Cor. 16:18; Phile. 7.20).
Water also cleanses. There was a laver in the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, provided for the cleansing of the priests' hands and feet. God's Word is the spiritual water that cleanses us (John 15:3; Eph. 5:26, 27). But our words to others can also help to cleanse and sanctify them. Our words ought to be like that river described in Ezekiel 47 that brought life to everything it touched.
A tree
The tongue is also delightful because it is like a tree. In Bible lands, trees are vitally important to the economy - they help to hold down the soil; they provide beauty and shade; and they bear fruit. Our words can help to shelter and encourage a weary traveler, and can help to feed the hungry soul.
"The lips of the righteous feed many, ..." (Prov. 10:21).
Jesus said: "... The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63).
As we share His Word with others, we feed them and encourage them along the way.
The most important thing about a tree is the root system. If the roots do not go down deep, the tree will not grow in a healthy manner. If we are rooted in the things of the Lord, then our words will be the fruit of our fellowship with Him. One reason our Lord was able to say the right words at the right times was because He communed with the Father and heard from heaven each day.
Isaiah said: "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the leaned" (Isa. 50:4).
If you and I are going to have tongues that delight, then we must meet with the Lord each day, in prayer and meditation, and permit the Spirit of God to fill our hearts with God's love and truth.
James understands our problem - the tongue that blesses the Father, and then turns around and curses men made in God's image. How easy to worship God in a Church service, and then get into the family car and argue and fight all the way home!
James said: "My brethren, these things ought not to be so" (James 3:10).
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Relationship between faith and works
Faith is a key doctrine in the Christian life. The sinner is saved by Faith (Eph. 2:8, 9), and the believer must walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6); and whatever is not from faith is sin (Rom. 14:23).
Someone has said that faith is not "believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequence." In Hebrews 11, we read about men and women who acted upon God's Word, no matter what price they had to pay. Faith is not some kind of hazy and vague feeling that we work up; faith is confidence that God's Word is true, and conviction that acting upon that Word will bring His blessing.
In James 2:14 - 26, James discussed the relationship between faith and works. This is an important discussion, for if we are wrong in this matter, we jeopardize our eternal salvation. What kind of faith really saves a person? Is it necessary to perform good works in order to be saved? How can a person tell whether or not he is exercising true saving faith? James answers these questions by explaining to us that there are three kinds of faith - dead faith, demonic faith and dynamic faith (faith based on the Word of God) covering James 2:14 - 26. Let us cconsider, in some details, each kind of faith.
Dead Faith (James 2:14 - 17)
James said: "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:14 - 17, NKJV, emphasis added).
People with dead faith substitute words for deeds. They know the correct vocabulary for prayer and testimony, and can even quote the right verses from the Bible; but their walk does not measure up to their talk. They think that their words are as good as works, and they are wrong.
James gave a simple illustration. A poor believer came into a fellowship, without proper clothing and in need of food. The person with dead faith noticed the visitor and saw his needs, but he did not do anything to meet the needs. All he did was say a few pious words! - "Be warmed and filled" (James 2:16). But the visitor went away just as hungry and naked as he came in!
Food and clothing are basic needs of every human being, whether he is saved or unsaved.
Paul said: "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Tim. 6:8).
Jesus said: "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we ear?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matt. 6:31, 32).
Jacob included these basic needs in his prayer to God: "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on" (Gen. 28:20).
As believers, we have an obligation to help meet the needs of people, no matter who they may be.
Paul said: "... as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10).
Jesus said: "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (Matt. 25:40).
To help a person in need is an expression of love, and faith works through love (Gal. 5:6).
The apostle John emphasized this aspect of good works: "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need and shuts up his heart form him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth" (1 John 3:17, 18).
The priest and Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan each had religious training, but neither of them pause to assist the dying man at the side of the road (Luke 10:25 - 37). Each of them would defend his faith, yet neither demonstrated that faith in loving works.
Obviously, that kind of faith - that is never seen in practical works would not save a person. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration. That kind of faith is dead faith. That is why James said that faith by itself (alone), if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17). The great theologian, John Calvin, wrote, "It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone." True saving faith can never be by itself. It always brings life, and life produces good works.
The person with dead faith has only a intellectual experience. In his mind, he knows the doctrine of salvation, but he has never submitted himself to God and trusted Christ for salvation. He knows the right words, but he does not back up his words with his works. Faith in Christ brings life (John 3:16), and where there is life there must be growth and fruit. Three times in James 2:14 - 26, James warns us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 20, 26).
Beware of a mere intellectual faith. No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same any more that he can come into contact a 250-volt wire and remain the same.
John said: "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:12).
Dead faith is not saving faith. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a false confidence of eternal life.
Demonic Faith (James 2:18, 19)
James said: "But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me you faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble" (James 2:18, 19)!
The New Testament Church had rediscovered the reality and activity of demons. When our Lord was ministering on earth, He often cast out demons; and He gave that power to His disciples. Paul often confronted demonic forces in his ministry; and in Ephesians 6:10 - 20, he admonished the early Christians to claim God's protection and defeat the spiritual forces of wickedness.
James said that the demons have faith. I believe it comes as shock to many people. If demons have faith, what do they believe? For one thing, they believe in the existance of God; they are neither atheists nor agnostics. They also believe in the deity of Christ. Whenver they met Christ when He was on earth, they bore witness to His Sonship (Mard 3:11, 12). They believe in the existence of a place of punishment (Luke 8:31); and they also recognize Jesus Christ as the Judge (Mark 5:1 - 13). They submit to the power of His Word.
The man with dead faith was touched only in his intellect; but the demons are touched also in their emotions. They believe and tremble.
But it is not a saving experience to believe and tremble. A person can be enlightened in his mind and even stirred in his heart and be lost forever. True saving faith involves something more, some that can be seen and recognized - a changed life. "Show me your faith without your works," challenged James, "and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18).
How could a person show his faith without works? Can a dead sinner perform good works? Impossible! When you trust Christ, you are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).
Being a Christian involves trusting Christ and living for Christ. You receive the life, then you reveal the life. Faith that is barren is not saving faith.
James said: "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead" (James 2:20, emphasis added).
The Greek word translated "dead" carries the meaning of "barren or idle." Like money drawing no interest.
Dynamic Faith (James 2:20 - 26)
Dynamic faith is the only kind of faith that can save the sinner. Dynamic faith is faith that is real, faith that has power, faith that results in a changed life.
James said: "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:20 - 26).
Dynamic faith, the saving faith, is based on the Word of God. We receive our spiritual rebirth through God's Word (James 1:18). We receive the Word and this saves us (James 1:21).
Paul said: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
James used Abraham and Rahab as illustrations of dynamic saving faith, since both of them heard and receiving the message of God through His Word.
Faith is only as good as its object. The man in the jungle bows before an idol of stone and trusts it to help him, but he receives no help. No matter how much faith a person may generate, if is not directed at the right object, it will accomplish nothing.
Dynamic faith is based on God's Word, and it involves the whole man. Dead faith touches only the intellect; demonic faith involves both the mind and the emotions; but dynamic faith involves the will. The whole person plays a part in true saving faith. The mind understands the truth; the heart desires the truth; and the will acts upon the truth. The men and women of faith named in Hebrews 11 were people of action - God spoke and they obeyed. They believed what dynamic faith really is. Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but faith is obeying in spite of consequences!
True saving dynamic faith leads to action. It is not intellectual contemplation or emotiona consternation. It leads to obedience on the part of the will. And this obedience is not an isolated event; it continues throughout the whole life. It leads to works.
Many different kinds of works are named in the New Testament:
1. The works of the Law - Paul said: "... knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified" (Gal. 2:16, emphasis added).
The works of the Law relate to the sinner's attempt to please God by obeying the Law of Moses. Of course, it is impossible for a sinner to be saved through the works of the Law.
2. The works of the flesh - Paul said: "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleaness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dessensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19 - 21, emphasis added).
The works of the flesh are what the flesh or corrupt and unrenewed human nature produces. They are done by immature so-called Christians or unsaved people who live for the things of the old nature.
3. Wicked works - Paul said: "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight ..." (Col. 1:21, 22, emphasis added).
4. Dead works - The writter of Hebrews said: "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sactifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Heb. 9:13, 14, emphasis added).
Dead works are works that are deadly in their nature - works that lead to death. They are works that have no spirituality and no life. By "works" here the writer does not refer to their outword religious acts particularly, but to the conduct of life, to what people do. Their works are not spiritual and saving but such as lead to death.
5. Works produced by dynamic saving faith - What James said in his Epistle. Where there is dynamic saving faith, you will always find good works.
The dynamic saving faith of Abraham and Rahab
James choses to illustrate "dynamic saving faith" by studying the life of Abraham and Rahab. What did Abraham and Rahab in common? Both exercised saving faith in God.
1 Abraham
Abraham was declared righteous by faith; he was justified by faith (read Rom. 4). His faith was tested when God asked him to offer up Isaac on the altar (Gen. 22). Abraham was not saved by obeying God's difficult command. His obedience proved that he already was saved. James said: "Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith ws made perfect" (James 2:22)? There is a perfect relationship between faith and works. As someone has expressed it. "Abraham was not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works."
By faith, Abraham was justified before God and his righteousness declared; by works he was justified before men and his righteousness demonstrated.
2 Rahab
The background for Rahab is found is Joshua 2 and 5. Israel was about to invade their Promised Land and take the city of Jericho. Joshua sent spies into the city to get the lay of the land. There they met Rahab, a harlot, who protected them and affirmed that she believed in what God had said and what God was going to do. When the men departed, they promise to save her and her family when the city was taken; and this they did.
The story of Rahab is one of the Bible's great examples of saving faith (see Heb. 11:31). Rahab heard the Word and knew that her city was condemned. This truth affected her and her fellow citizens so that their hearts melted with them (Josh. 2:11). Rahab responded with her mind and her emotions; but she also reponded with her will - she did something about it. She exercised dynamic faith - her mind knew the truth, her heart was stirred by the truth, and her will acted upon the truth. She proved her faith by her works.
Someone has said that faith is not "believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequence." In Hebrews 11, we read about men and women who acted upon God's Word, no matter what price they had to pay. Faith is not some kind of hazy and vague feeling that we work up; faith is confidence that God's Word is true, and conviction that acting upon that Word will bring His blessing.
In James 2:14 - 26, James discussed the relationship between faith and works. This is an important discussion, for if we are wrong in this matter, we jeopardize our eternal salvation. What kind of faith really saves a person? Is it necessary to perform good works in order to be saved? How can a person tell whether or not he is exercising true saving faith? James answers these questions by explaining to us that there are three kinds of faith - dead faith, demonic faith and dynamic faith (faith based on the Word of God) covering James 2:14 - 26. Let us cconsider, in some details, each kind of faith.
Dead Faith (James 2:14 - 17)
James said: "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:14 - 17, NKJV, emphasis added).
People with dead faith substitute words for deeds. They know the correct vocabulary for prayer and testimony, and can even quote the right verses from the Bible; but their walk does not measure up to their talk. They think that their words are as good as works, and they are wrong.
James gave a simple illustration. A poor believer came into a fellowship, without proper clothing and in need of food. The person with dead faith noticed the visitor and saw his needs, but he did not do anything to meet the needs. All he did was say a few pious words! - "Be warmed and filled" (James 2:16). But the visitor went away just as hungry and naked as he came in!
Food and clothing are basic needs of every human being, whether he is saved or unsaved.
Paul said: "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Tim. 6:8).
Jesus said: "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we ear?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matt. 6:31, 32).
Jacob included these basic needs in his prayer to God: "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on" (Gen. 28:20).
As believers, we have an obligation to help meet the needs of people, no matter who they may be.
Paul said: "... as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10).
Jesus said: "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (Matt. 25:40).
To help a person in need is an expression of love, and faith works through love (Gal. 5:6).
The apostle John emphasized this aspect of good works: "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need and shuts up his heart form him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth" (1 John 3:17, 18).
The priest and Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan each had religious training, but neither of them pause to assist the dying man at the side of the road (Luke 10:25 - 37). Each of them would defend his faith, yet neither demonstrated that faith in loving works.
Obviously, that kind of faith - that is never seen in practical works would not save a person. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration. That kind of faith is dead faith. That is why James said that faith by itself (alone), if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17). The great theologian, John Calvin, wrote, "It is faith alone that justifies, but faith that justifies can never be alone." True saving faith can never be by itself. It always brings life, and life produces good works.
The person with dead faith has only a intellectual experience. In his mind, he knows the doctrine of salvation, but he has never submitted himself to God and trusted Christ for salvation. He knows the right words, but he does not back up his words with his works. Faith in Christ brings life (John 3:16), and where there is life there must be growth and fruit. Three times in James 2:14 - 26, James warns us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 20, 26).
Beware of a mere intellectual faith. No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same any more that he can come into contact a 250-volt wire and remain the same.
John said: "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:12).
Dead faith is not saving faith. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a false confidence of eternal life.
Demonic Faith (James 2:18, 19)
James said: "But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me you faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble" (James 2:18, 19)!
The New Testament Church had rediscovered the reality and activity of demons. When our Lord was ministering on earth, He often cast out demons; and He gave that power to His disciples. Paul often confronted demonic forces in his ministry; and in Ephesians 6:10 - 20, he admonished the early Christians to claim God's protection and defeat the spiritual forces of wickedness.
James said that the demons have faith. I believe it comes as shock to many people. If demons have faith, what do they believe? For one thing, they believe in the existance of God; they are neither atheists nor agnostics. They also believe in the deity of Christ. Whenver they met Christ when He was on earth, they bore witness to His Sonship (Mard 3:11, 12). They believe in the existence of a place of punishment (Luke 8:31); and they also recognize Jesus Christ as the Judge (Mark 5:1 - 13). They submit to the power of His Word.
The man with dead faith was touched only in his intellect; but the demons are touched also in their emotions. They believe and tremble.
But it is not a saving experience to believe and tremble. A person can be enlightened in his mind and even stirred in his heart and be lost forever. True saving faith involves something more, some that can be seen and recognized - a changed life. "Show me your faith without your works," challenged James, "and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18).
How could a person show his faith without works? Can a dead sinner perform good works? Impossible! When you trust Christ, you are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).
Being a Christian involves trusting Christ and living for Christ. You receive the life, then you reveal the life. Faith that is barren is not saving faith.
James said: "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead" (James 2:20, emphasis added).
The Greek word translated "dead" carries the meaning of "barren or idle." Like money drawing no interest.
Dynamic Faith (James 2:20 - 26)
Dynamic faith is the only kind of faith that can save the sinner. Dynamic faith is faith that is real, faith that has power, faith that results in a changed life.
James said: "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:20 - 26).
Dynamic faith, the saving faith, is based on the Word of God. We receive our spiritual rebirth through God's Word (James 1:18). We receive the Word and this saves us (James 1:21).
Paul said: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
James used Abraham and Rahab as illustrations of dynamic saving faith, since both of them heard and receiving the message of God through His Word.
Faith is only as good as its object. The man in the jungle bows before an idol of stone and trusts it to help him, but he receives no help. No matter how much faith a person may generate, if is not directed at the right object, it will accomplish nothing.
Dynamic faith is based on God's Word, and it involves the whole man. Dead faith touches only the intellect; demonic faith involves both the mind and the emotions; but dynamic faith involves the will. The whole person plays a part in true saving faith. The mind understands the truth; the heart desires the truth; and the will acts upon the truth. The men and women of faith named in Hebrews 11 were people of action - God spoke and they obeyed. They believed what dynamic faith really is. Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but faith is obeying in spite of consequences!
True saving dynamic faith leads to action. It is not intellectual contemplation or emotiona consternation. It leads to obedience on the part of the will. And this obedience is not an isolated event; it continues throughout the whole life. It leads to works.
Many different kinds of works are named in the New Testament:
1. The works of the Law - Paul said: "... knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified" (Gal. 2:16, emphasis added).
The works of the Law relate to the sinner's attempt to please God by obeying the Law of Moses. Of course, it is impossible for a sinner to be saved through the works of the Law.
2. The works of the flesh - Paul said: "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleaness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dessensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19 - 21, emphasis added).
The works of the flesh are what the flesh or corrupt and unrenewed human nature produces. They are done by immature so-called Christians or unsaved people who live for the things of the old nature.
3. Wicked works - Paul said: "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight ..." (Col. 1:21, 22, emphasis added).
4. Dead works - The writter of Hebrews said: "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sactifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Heb. 9:13, 14, emphasis added).
Dead works are works that are deadly in their nature - works that lead to death. They are works that have no spirituality and no life. By "works" here the writer does not refer to their outword religious acts particularly, but to the conduct of life, to what people do. Their works are not spiritual and saving but such as lead to death.
5. Works produced by dynamic saving faith - What James said in his Epistle. Where there is dynamic saving faith, you will always find good works.
The dynamic saving faith of Abraham and Rahab
James choses to illustrate "dynamic saving faith" by studying the life of Abraham and Rahab. What did Abraham and Rahab in common? Both exercised saving faith in God.
1 Abraham
Abraham was declared righteous by faith; he was justified by faith (read Rom. 4). His faith was tested when God asked him to offer up Isaac on the altar (Gen. 22). Abraham was not saved by obeying God's difficult command. His obedience proved that he already was saved. James said: "Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith ws made perfect" (James 2:22)? There is a perfect relationship between faith and works. As someone has expressed it. "Abraham was not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works."
By faith, Abraham was justified before God and his righteousness declared; by works he was justified before men and his righteousness demonstrated.
2 Rahab
The background for Rahab is found is Joshua 2 and 5. Israel was about to invade their Promised Land and take the city of Jericho. Joshua sent spies into the city to get the lay of the land. There they met Rahab, a harlot, who protected them and affirmed that she believed in what God had said and what God was going to do. When the men departed, they promise to save her and her family when the city was taken; and this they did.
The story of Rahab is one of the Bible's great examples of saving faith (see Heb. 11:31). Rahab heard the Word and knew that her city was condemned. This truth affected her and her fellow citizens so that their hearts melted with them (Josh. 2:11). Rahab responded with her mind and her emotions; but she also reponded with her will - she did something about it. She exercised dynamic faith - her mind knew the truth, her heart was stirred by the truth, and her will acted upon the truth. She proved her faith by her works.
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