Title: Do You Lack Wisdom?

Text: James 1:5-8

FCF: We often struggle to be what God wants us to be.

Prop: Because God generously gives to those who ask for wisdom in pure faith, we must ask God in faith without doubting.

Scripture Intro:

[Slide 1] Turn in your bible to James chapter 1.

Last week we were only just able to begin the book of James. But what we saw last week serves as the grand introduction to all that James will say. In many ways, everything he says from here to the end of the letter reaches back to connect to verses 2-4 of chapter 1.

That being said, it would be invaluable for you to go back and reference that message occasionally as we go through this book. And to help us for today, let me quickly review.

James addresses Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman empire who are experiencing tests of various kinds. To escape some of the pain and discomfort of these tests they have accepted a perversion of Paul’s teaching where they have determined they can live as they wish, not heeding the law of God, since they are justified by faith alone. It is much easier to fit into the culture around them when they don’t have that pesky law of God on their backs to make them look different from everyone else.

James blows up that entire paradigm when he tells them that they should treat their tests as pure joy. They shouldn’t be doing all they can to get out of them. Instead, they should be regarding them as pure joy. He tells them why. And by telling them why he begins to dismantle this perverted teaching of faith alone. He explains that tests should be seen as pure joy because God works through these tests to prove, progress, and perfect their faith. Tests are the gas that powers their vehicle of faith so that they can reach the purpose of God for them. Which is what? That they would be complete, perfect and lacking nothing.

What follows then, in my estimation, is 10 specific ways that James has seen that they may lack. 10 items that God needs to still complete in them. 10 ways that he has seen… that they are not perfect.

I’m not a betting man – but I’d be willing to wager any amount on two things. 1.) This isn’t all these Jewish Christians were lacking, but it is what James saw they were lacking. 2.) All 10 of these things are lacking in our little church in Columbus Michigan.

So, let’s read about item number 1 on the “Yep, I’m definitely not perfect yet” list.

I am in James 1. I’ll begin reading in verse 5. I am reading from the NET which you can follow in the pew bible on page 1360 or in whatever version you prefer.

Transition:

Maybe a bit shorter of a message today. But I think that will probably be the norm for James. Shorter messages… but listen… shorter messages mean you have no excuse. If you are used to 50-minute messages, I’d expect you to be extra attentive and responsive to 40-minute messages. So let’s dive right in.

I.) Because God is generous and will give us what we need without reservation, we must ask God in faith without doubting. (5-6a)

a. [Slide 2] 5 – But if anyone is deficient in wisdom,

i. After revealing the purpose and plan of God to carry His dear children through trials in order to grow their faith to the extent that they will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing – James seems to pivot to bring up what might be lacking from his audience.

ii. But how connected is the lack here to the various tests they will face and the faith that will be proved?

iii. Is wisdom necessary to endure trial or for faith to be proven and endure?

iv. Well last week we noted and it was further expanded on at Wednesday Night Bible Study, that James commands his audience to treat as joy all these tests. To do that he points to what they know. What they know is that God uses trials to prove, progress, and eventually perfect their faith.

v. In a sense what James does in verses 2-4 is an expression of or an exercise in Spiritual Wisdom.

vi. [Slide 3] In order to see what I mean, it would benefit us greatly to define what wisdom is.

vii. What is wisdom?

1. [Slide 4] Wisdom is typically seen as the pinnacle of learning.

a. First, we gain knowledge which consists of gathering and memorizing raw information.

b. Then we have understanding which takes raw information and uses that information to gain familiarity with all its surrounding components.

c. Finally, wisdom moves beyond understanding in that now with all the information known and understood a person can then use what they know to create, improve, and otherwise act on the information.

d. [Slide 5] We could take plumbing for instance.

i. Knowledge of plumbing consists of knowing what each part and tool would be called.

ii. Understanding of plumbing would include not just knowing what everything is called but knowing how plumbing works. Understanding the general concepts of water flow and being able to troubleshoot what might cause blockages and things to not work properly. And of course, how to fix it.

iii. But wisdom in plumbing allows a person to creatively find solutions to problems that persist or even to improve upon current plumbing solutions to introduce new methods or technology to make plumbing easier or to increase efficiency or durability.

2. [Slide 6] Nevertheless, this is a fairly secular view of wisdom. What does wisdom mean in the Scriptures? How is this word used?

a. Wisdom is an attribute of God.

b. Jesus is said to have possessed great wisdom

c. Wisdom is called a gift of God.

d. Wisdom can be a spiritual gift.

e. Paul specifically links spiritual wisdom to one’s ability to walk in a manner worthy of Christ.

viii. To pull all this together, it becomes clear that wisdom is the knowledge and understanding of God’s ways, laws, purposes and plans to the extent that one lives by them.

ix. [Slide 7] To say it differently, Wisdom is a gift of God whereby we are given spiritual knowledge and understanding so that we may live as God would have us to live.

x. There is our connection to the previous thought. James insisted that the only way to consider tests of all kinds as pure joy was to rely on the knowledge of God’s plan and purpose of testings.

xi. In short, to consider tests as joy – you need the Wisdom of God.

xii. With all that said, I think it is fairly obvious, and perhaps I am being a bit presumptuous, but it seems to me that everyone in this room would be forced to conclude that they lack God’s Wisdom.

xiii. Part of James’ statement then requires us to humbly admit that we are in this state of lack. The one who thinks he is wise will never see his lack nor pursue the remedy that James gives.

xiv. But as for those who do recognize their lack of wisdom, what must they do to gain it?

xv. Well, if it is God’s Wisdom it stands to reason that they must get it from God?

xvi. Well, what must they do to get it from Him?

xvii. Surely, they must have to have been His faithful disciple for many years. Certainly, they must have a doctorate of theology or be a biblical scholar! Without a doubt they must be a professional Christian having been trained at the finest universities, or mentored by the most godly men and women?

b. [Slide 8] He should ask God,

i. With preposterous simplicity James gives a single command to receive Godly Wisdom.

ii. Ask.

iii. Ask God for Wisdom from Him.

iv. We’ve already seen how it is a gift given by God. We’ve seen that wisdom is spiritual. We’ve seen that Wisdom flows from and to God. Is it really that shocking?

v. If you lack wisdom – where else would you go?

vi. But that isn’t the shocking part is it?

vii. No the shocking part is that God doesn’t want something from us. God doesn’t expect a quid pro quo here. That is what is shocking.

viii. But if Godly Wisdom is knowing what God’s purposes and plans are and living by them, shouldn’t I be ashamed when I come to God lacking this ability?

ix. If I lack wisdom, shouldn’t I fear the Lord’s wrath against me?

c. [Slide 9] Who gives to all generously and without reprimand,

i. The word here for generous is hotly debated. I take the middle road and follow one translation that says “who gives to all without reservation…”

ii. This word can mean generous or it can mean simple or undivided or sincere.

iii. The translation of “without reservation” accomplishes both these thoughts.

iv. God gives wisdom generously to the extent that when we need it, He will always give it when we ask. And God gives wisdom sincerely in that there is no part of Him that gives grudgingly or half heartedly to His people. There is no part of God that expects a favor or some kind of string attached to this gift of wisdom. In other words God has no ulterior motive behind granting our request for Wisdom.

v. God is a generous and sincere giver to those who seek Him. He gives without reservation.

vi. To those who have humbled themselves before Him – He will lift them up.

vii. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness because they will be… what?

viii. Filled.

ix. And He does so also without reprimand.

x. This is part of His sincerity to us. This is part of His generosity. In fact, it is probably explaining from the negative what James means by God giving generously.

xi. He doesn’t give us Wisdom when we ask as if it is some kind of concession that He begrudgingly gives with chastisement.

xii. Instead, with generosity and without reservation. God sincerely gives.

d. [Slide 10] And it will be given to him.

i. My friends, there is no excuse for us.

ii. Do you lack wisdom? Do you lack the knowledge of God, Understanding in His ways, and the ability to apply yourself to grow in Him. To being pressed into the mold of Christ? Do you lack this?

iii. Then ask God for it.

iv. Hebrews says that we are to boldly approach the throne of grace where we will receive mercy and find grace for help in a time of need.

v. My friends – grace is there at the throne. Ask and it shall be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.

vi. Do you truly believe that God will turn you away from wisdom?

vii. He will not cast out His people. He will not reject His Son’s bride.

viii. Did He not say suffer the little children to come to me?

ix. When you come asking for the very thing you need to see the world as He does and live the way He wants you to – is this not childlike faith?

x. Would a loving father turn away his son’s request for paint, whom he commanded to paint the fence? Would a loving father deny his daughter a warm coat while sending her to do chores in the snow?

xi. So also, our Heavenly Father, who loves us because He loves Christ, will in no way deny us who come to Him for what we need to obey Him.

xii. But is there a wrong way to ask?

xiii. Yes… there is.

e. [Slide 11] 6a – But he must ask in faith without doubting,

i. A person asking for wisdom from the Lord must do so in faith.

ii. Certainly, it means a faith that believes that God is real. But it is far beyond that.

iii. [Slide 12] Given what the rest of this passage says, we must come to some other conclusions about faith.

1. First, that God alone can and does answer requests of His people so far as they are in His will.

2. Second, that God hears the cries of His people when they humble themselves before Him.

3. Third, that God will not give a serpent or stone when His children ask for good things.

4. Finally, that God’s gifting of Wisdom may not occur on the same time table or in the same manner that the one requesting may think it should be.

iv. [Slide 13] What then might it mean to doubt?

1. Perhaps to doubt the ability of God to give wisdom out of His abundance.

2. Perhaps to doubt the willingness of God to give generously to His people.

3. Perhaps to doubt that God would hear a humble cry and not need other enticements to be heard.

4. Perhaps the doubt that God will give wisdom without strings or that God may trick them and offer wisdom but give something inferior.

5. Perhaps the doubt that God will be able to give you a wisdom that is better than you could find on your own.

v. [Slide 14] In short, to doubt here is not our own trepidations of unworthiness or unbelief. It is not referencing our faith’s weakness at times as if we must come with faith that is perfect in order to receive wisdom from God.

vi. Such would be self-defeating- for none come in perfect faith.

vii. Instead, the doubt that must not be present when we ask God in faith for Wisdom from Him… is doubting the nature and character of God.

viii. To ask, doubting that God is good, generous, sincere, able to answer, and abundantly gracious to His people – is to immediately negate faith. To doubt is faith’s opposite not its imperfection.

ix. In this way, just as God is sincere in His giving, without hidden or reserved intentions – so we must ask with sincere and believing hearts without hidden or reserved unbelief.

f. [Slide 15] Passage Truth: So, James relays a truth in these verses that is the crux of the whole discussion of acquiring wisdom. Should we lack all we need to be what God wants us to be, we must know that God is a generous, sincere, and abundantly gracious God who stands ready to give out of His abundance to those who seek Him.

g. Passage Application: So, these Jewish Christians must remember their own wisdom literature, realize their need – but the command they are issued is simply to ask in faith without doubting.

h. [Slide 16] Broader Biblical Truth: Does the bible truly teach this about God? Is James inventing something new here? Of course not. How many times have we seen in Foundations those who are humble and needy coming to the Lord? Have we seen God… EVER respond to such a person with anger and reprimand? Have we ever seen God deny anyone wisdom? Have we not seen the sincerity, generosity and abundant kindness of God throughout the ages of the Kings? When kings seek Him, do they receive wisdom? And Jesus in the Sermon on the mount challenges all who lack holiness, to ask, seek and knock and whoever asks, the Lord will not give to those who ask for bread a rock. Nor will he give to those who ask for a fish a serpent. No, God gives abundantly good gifts to those who ask, seek, and knock.

i. Broader Biblical Application: So CBC, as children of God, possessing true faith given to us by our creator to receive and be united to Jesus Christ, all we must do is to ask in faith for what we need to be what God has called us to be. We can simply ask. Because we know who God is and we know what He will do.

i. If we lack Spiritual Wisdom, Wisdom from God that informs and conforms us to His will and ways – HE WILL GIVE IT TO US!

ii. And we won’t have to barter with Him for it. We won’t have to do penance to receive it. We won’t need to exchange duties or even be a certain caliber of man or woman before the showers of wisdom flow to us. NO!

iii. He gives to us Singlemindedly. Without reservation. Sincerely. As long as we ask with undivided, undiluted faith.

iv. Jesus once said to His disciples - ask in faith without doubt and you can move mountains. So we too must ask in faith – believing with all we are that He is this God to His people.

Transition:

[Slide 17(blank)] But God’s generous, sincere, and abundantly gracious character is not the only reason we must ask in faith without doubting. There is a negative reason that we cannot doubt. It is the remainder of this section.

II.) Because God will not give to those with false faith, we must ask God in faith without doubting. (6b-8)

a. [Slide 18] 6b – For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.

i. James elevates doubt to a measure that may seem somewhat harsh to us.

ii. After all we experience doubt at times. We doubt our salvation, we doubt the Lord’s promises, we doubt His warnings too.

iii. But for James, in this particular context, He outlaws doubt entirely.

iv. Why are his words so extreme?

v. Well, we have mentioned this once already, but as we delve deeper into the doubter it is important for us to recognize what kind of doubt James is talking about.

vi. He is not talking about general doubt or imperfect faith.

vii. Instead, he is talking about doubting God’s generosity to His people, doubting God’s benevolence to His people, or doubting God’s power to help His people. If you were to doubt any or all of these, you so fundamentally misunderstand God that the only explanation James can offer is that you must be like a wave of the sea. He must be tossed by the wind. He cannot be grounded or stable.

viii. You are vacillating. You are consistently… inconsistent.

ix. His conclusion is…

b. [Slide 19] 7 – For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,

i. A person who doubts God’s goodness, generosity, or ability can’t receive anything from the Lord.

ii. Forget wisdom – such a man cannot get mercy. He cannot get grace. He cannot get help. Such a man receives nothing from God.

iii. Why?

iv. James’ conclusion is inescapable.

c. [Slide 20] 8 – since he is a double-minded individual unstable in all his ways.

i. He is double minded.

ii. This word is, perhaps, a word that James has coined himself. We don’t find it in any secular writings prior to James.

iii. The word is di (two) psuche (souls). This person is a two souled person.

iv. What does that mean?

v. He is a hypocrite.

vi. What do the scriptures say about a man who has two masters? Can he serve them both? Can he love them both? What about the fellowship between light and darkness?

vii. Can someone have a soul in heaven and a soul in hell?

viii. The only conclusion we can come to – is that this person says they have faith, but their doubt invalidates their profession. Which is why we defined doubt earlier not as imperfect faith, but rather as faith’s opposite.

ix. There is really no other way to interpret this other than that this man is not a believer.

x. He receives not from God because He asks amiss. He asks without faith. He asks as one who is not a child of God.

xi. And here we have the first of many times where James will call into question those who have faith but no works. You see one work that follows faith is a lack of doubt. An acceptance and genuine undivided and sincere belief that God is good, generous, sincere and gracious.

xii. Just as God is sincere and gracious in His giving of wisdom, He only gives His wisdom to those who are sincere and unmixed in their faith.

d. [Slide 21] Passage Truth: So, James’ second truth for the command to ask is that those who doubt will not be given anything by God. God does not grant the wishes of those who vacillate on whether or not they believe He is good, sincere, and gracious.

e. Passage Application: So, James’ audience must ask in faith without doubting.

f. [Slide 22] Broader Biblical Truth: Is this true though? Does God not hear the prayer of those who are wicked, unbelieving, or doubting He is who He has revealed Himself to be? John 9 says that God doesn’t listen to sinners. Proverbs 28 says that the one who turns away his ear from hearing the law – even his prayer is an abomination to God. Is doubting God’s nature as revealed in scripture a sin? Well, is unbelief a sin? It most certainly is. Therefore, to come in prayer to God while actively not believing He is who He has revealed Himself to be – certainly God will not hear such a prayer. And the reason is, that such a person is unstable, they are not firmly rooted in the truth, they are not planted on the solid Rock. God will not answer their prayer for wisdom to understand His will and ways and live thereby – why? Because what He has revealed to them they are, even now, uncertain is true? No, my friends, God does not hear the prayer of such a person.

g. Broader Biblical Application: So CBC, we must truly and completely believe that God is who He says He is and then in that faith we must ask Him for Wisdom to understand and obey Him. We must ask Him in faith and He will grant to us what we need to see the world as He does and live in it as He would have us live in it.

Conclusion:

[Slide 23 (end)]Because our God is a good Father who dearly loves His children; because He gives generously and without reservation to those who come in faith asking for wisdom from Him; because God will not answer the requests of those who have divided loyalties or faith mixed with lack of faith; Because of all this, CBC we must ask the Lord for wisdom in true faith.

Wisdom is the spiritual knowledge and understanding of God’s ways and the ability to live by them. And faith free of doubt is a faith that trusts all that God has said about Himself without exception.

My friends we must seek the Lord to provide all we need to be what He wants us to be, because we all lack wisdom.

If you desire to make it through your trials more complete and lacking nothing – you cannot rest on your own wisdom and understanding. You cannot rely on the wisdom of this world. You must seek wisdom from God.

But in seeking that wisdom from God, you cannot come to God with a diluted faith. You cannot ask of God for wisdom when you are uncertain He is even able to give it to you. You cannot ask God for wisdom if you are unsure about His motives in giving it to you. You cannot ask God for wisdom prepared to sacrifice something to Him in order to get it. You cannot come to God for wisdom even though you think you can still do it on your own, or that you can find a way without Him.

Such unbelief will not be answered. Someone who does not believe that God is who He says He is, will never receive anything from the Lord.

But believer… you who know God as a generous giver, who gives to His people without reservation, who abundantly supplies all we need to be and do all that He has called us to. What a glorious promise we have.

That if we ask in this true faith… in this abiding faith… in this genuine faith… What will He do?

He will give it.

But Oh, Christian the sting of this promise! Do you see the sting of it?

You are without excuse. Are you not growing to be what God wants you to be? Are you floundering through your trial? Are you unable to count it joy? Are you not enduring? Are you becoming undone? Are you less complete? Are you taking two steps back and 1 forward?

You are without excuse! You cannot claim woe is me. You cannot blame your trial. You cannot blame your temptation. You cannot blame your circumstances. Why?

Because all that stands between you and wisdom is your humble asking!

Believer! ASK IN FAITH! He stands ready to give you what you need!

Don’t whimper silently in the corner. Don’t shake with pain hidden in your closet. Don’t battle your flesh with teeth and nails. NO!

Ask the Lord for Wisdom! Ask, knowing that He stands ready to pour it out on you freely! Ask believing that He is a good God who loves His people! Ask, knowing He would never turn away the bride of His Son! All that He has is ours. Ask. And it will be given to you.

How many believers flounder in tests, delaying their growth and suspending their grief without the wisdom of God to guide them through it. All because they do not ask. All because they are too proud, too doubtful, too distracted to ask.

Do not delay any longer my friends. Do you lack wisdom? Ask in faith.