(10/19/21) James: The God Who Gives
James – Gospel Motivated Love
The God Who Gives
Passage: James 1:5-8
James 1:5 ¶ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Let’s start by defining what James means by “wisdom.”
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
James 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
During trials, we often find ourselves struggling against our flesh. James calls believers to seek from God wisdom they lack, that is, “mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” as examples.
Trials strengthen our faith (James 1:2-4). To endure these trials, anyone at any time can ask the Father for wisdom, and he will give it to them prodigally (lavishly). There are no requirements James places on receiving this gift of wisdom, simply asking.
To gain wisdom, we simply need to ask the Father, and he will grant it to us. He doesn’t look to anything you have done or not done, simply believe, and he will give you what you ask for.
QUESTION: Why is this so hard to practice? Trusting that prayer in faith will give us “mercy and good fruits?”
QUESTION: In the past, how have you thought one would gain wisdom from God?
If there was ever a case for monergistic sanctification, this would be a strong one. Monergistic means one who works versus synergistic, where there are two working together.
It is clear from James and Paul and we are transformed into the image of Christ. We receive wisdom from above by the power of Christ and not by our own strength. So, if we are to boast, we boast in the Lord.
In the midst of a trial, you see your life is not producing the evidence of wisdom. If you lack these qualities, James says, ask for it. Another example of walking by faith for our growth is found in Galatians 3.
Gal. 3:1 ¶ O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
Gal. 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Gal. 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
James places the same amount of emphasis on living by faith alone in Christ and trusting in nothing else.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Do you trust God can and will provide abundantly with grace all your needs, or are you still wanting to trust in the wisdom of the world?
QUESTION: According to James 1:5-8 and Galatians 3:1-3, where does our strength and power to obey according to “wisdom” come from?
James wrote, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.” Trust God’s character and promises. Do you know why this is so hard? Because we so quickly want to turn all spiritual abilities inwardly. We know our capacities; we can see the future with our own abilities. To trust God is to trust something we can’t see or control. Most of us have grown up on a diet of self-trust. But this is not the Christian life James is describing. Abandon all self-interest, self-capacity, self-worth. Believe that God has the power to both save and sanctify you.
QUESTION: What has your experience been like as you walk by faith instead of trusting in your own strength to obey Christ? Where do you struggle? How can the body at GRC encourage you?
Praise, Prayer, and Confession:
What can you offer to the Father in praise? What is a sin you need to confess?
What is a burden we can carry?
What can we take to our Father in prayer?
• • • •