James 1:5-8 ESV
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
Asking God for Wisdom
When we ask the Lord for wisdom, we need to ask in faith, believing that he will give us the wisdom needed. We need to not be those who ask, but who then decide whether or not to accept the wisdom granted, depending on whether or not we like it.
Now we do need to be discerning about whether or not the wisdom we are receiving is actually from God or not, especially if we are receiving it from other people, thinking that is how God is answering us, or if we are getting it from Scriptures taken out of their context. For if it is wisdom coming from God it is going to come from the Scriptures or it is going to agree with the Scriptures taken in their true context, and it is going to align with the divine will and character of God, and not according to worldly wisdom.
But then we don’t get to pick and choose whether or not to accept the good counsel of God. For then we are not asking in true faith. Then we are like someone on both ends of a teeter-totter, going back and forth between the wisdom (counsel) of God and that of man or of our own flesh. And I have seen people do this, ask God for direction, but then if they don’t like the answer, refuse to follow it, but then continue to go their own way. Or one time they will seem to accept it but then next will go back to the flesh.
And God says that those who do this should not suppose they will receive anything from the Lord, for they are double-minded people, unstable in all their ways. For they can’t decide if it is the flesh they want to follow or if it is God they want to follow. And so they may talk the walk but not walk it, and they may seemingly make attempts at walking in the light only to return to walking in the darkness. And according to the Scriptures it is because they love the darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil.
James 1:9-12 ESV
“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
We Aren’t All the Same
We all have different stations in this life, and differing circumstances. Some people are well off financially, while others are not. Some have plenty and some have little. But we are all flesh and blood humans, and we were all born into this world, and we are all going to one day die or be taken to be with the Lord when he returns if we are those who are walking by faith in the Lord Jesus. And we each need to accept where God has placed us and not be high and mighty if we seem to have more than others.
So, if one of us has more than another has, with regard to the things of this world, it doesn’t make that person any better than someone who has little. Or if you are someone who has less, that doesn’t make you less just because you don’t have what others have. And this isn’t just with regard to money and worldly possessions. This can relate to education level or talent or giftedness or opportunities, etc. So, we all need to have a godly perspective of our station in life, for God looks at the heart, not at outward appearance.
God knows those who are truly his, who are following him in obedience, who are doing his will, and who are not living to please the flesh without regard for God and for his will for our lives. So it doesn’t matter who gets human approval or praise or not, for it is God whom we are to please, not man. And so those who are living wicked lives may be raised up in the eyes of man and be praised and well liked, while those who are living to please God may be persecuted, hated, rejected and cast aside.
But we are blessed of God who follow our Lord in obedience to his commands, regardless of our physical or outward station in life. And we are blessed of God who follow him in obedience even while we end up suffering much in the way of persecution and/or rejection because of our walks of faith. So, the double-minded may be well liked on this earth and in this life by other humans, but they will end up in hell for eternity. But those who serve Jesus with their lives, they will spend eternity in heaven with God.
The Kingdoms of Earth Pass Away
Lyrics by Henry R. Trickett, 1887
Music by James H. Fillmore, 1887
The kingdoms of earth pass away one by one,
But the kingdom of heaven remains;
It is built on a rock and the Lord is its King,
And forever and ever He reigns.
The tempest may rage and its anger acclaim,
Yea, the wind and the torrents may roar,
And the strong gates of hell may assail it in vain,
Still the kingdom shall stand ever more.
The kingdom of God is now open to all,
E’en the vilest may now enter in;
There’s a welcome for all who will turn to the Lord,
Full salvation and pardon for sin.
It shall stand, It shall stand,
Forever and ever and ever,
It shall stand, It shall stand,
Forever and ever. Amen and Amen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCAO2TpbeY0
Caution: This link my contain ads
No comments:
Post a Comment