IF ANY LACK WISDOM
“If any of you lack wisdom.” And what wisdom is James revering to? He calls it in James 3:17, “The wisdom that is from above.” James then proceeds to describe and define this wisdom to us. “It is first pure.” It is without the contamination of error. It is true to the word of God. If it is not pure, it is not from above. But James does not stop there. “It is then peaceable.” It is not looking for a fight. “Then gentle.” The word means moderate, not insisting on the letter of the law, not insisting on holding someone’s feet to the fire. It is then “Easy to be entreated.” That means compliant and approachable. “Full of mercy and good fruits.” Those who possess the wisdom that is from above are always merciful. “Without partiality”…the word here means uncertainty. While the wisdom that is from above is not arrogant, it is still certain with regard to God’s truth. “Without hypocrisy”…the wisdom that is from above does not pretend!
James says… “If any of you lack wisdom.” If this seems to be something you do not seem to have much of… “Let him ask of God.” This is not something we can ever attain to. It is the gift of God. “Who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.” He will not withhold this wisdom from the one who desires it, nor will He upbraid you for asking. What an encouragement this is! I certainly feel as though I have a deficiency in wisdom. But He has promised to give this wisdom to those who ask for it. It sounds to me like it is time to start asking!
WORSE THAN AN INFIDEL
“If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
In the context, Paul was speaking of the church providing for destitute widows. He said their children should take care of them. And if a man shirks his responsibility to provide for his mother, aunt, children, or anyone in his house, by that action he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. This one who claims to be a follower of Christ denies the faith. Not by embracing false doctrine. But by his life. And in doing so, he is worse, more evil than the man who makes no profession of faith. While our character and conduct have nothing to do with our justification before God, our character and conduct have everything to do with the reality of our relationship with God. It would be better to not believe than to have a faith that does not effect my actions.
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