Category: Pastor’s Corner

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

James 1:5 (NASB)

The epistle of James seems to me as a New Testament book of Proverbs. It is notable for the frequent use of short, punchy sentences, each filled with a sermon’s worth of meaning and application.

Are you familiar with any of these things? Jealousy. Selfish ambition. Relational landmines. Anger. Partiality, bias, discrimination. Coldness; lack of empathy and compassion. Hateful speech and control of the tongue. Infighting.

Yes, these are all-too-common struggles, from family dynamics, to the workplace, amid our engagement in society and yes, even within the church. Why is this? It is no news flash. Human nature is sinful. None of us get a free pass to spotless living, regardless of how good we think we are in the recesses of our own minds.

James doesn’t go long on diagnosis and short on prescription. He lays out our issues and gets right to the answers. What will bring true life change to these sinful patterns? Where do we find lasting heart-change? Nope, it’s not in more seminars, or a few more medicines, or changing locations and leaving your problems behind.

Since James is addressing believers (:2; “brethren”) bear with me as I point out the obvious: of first priority is our need for a relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior. Coming to Him is the starting point. This must be a good reminder for us, in our heart for the unsaved. It is pointless to steer an unbeliever to adopt Christian attitudes and behaviors when they lack the Spirit of Christ within. The Word to an unregenerate person is incomprehensible—for the Spirit of God is not resident to enlighten their heart (see 1 Cor. 2). They need Him.

So the essential need is in trusting in Jesus’ work for their salvation. To recognize that their sin-debt is paid in full, and there is nothing else of greater priority than coming to Him. Then, the life lived is for His Glory, a life that cannot “work” for its salvation, but one that lives to demonstrate, “He is my Savior and Lord, and I respond in loving obedience to Him; His Word and His Spirit.”

So, in his talking to us believers, James is not presenting some great ideas to consider. Not a hint of “weigh this, and maybe put the things you agree with into practice…” Nope. Agreement with the Lord means a confession of my sin, and recognition of Him and His Word as right and holy and non-negotiable for me, the Christ-follower. For a born-again believer, the Word is received by Faith. I do not debate its veracity (its utter truthfulness!) It is not merely something to weigh among other “equal” opinions. The Holy Spirit will reveal its plain meanings and applications for my life, now. I, by faith, have already resolved to do as He directs me. So James, like Proverbs, is not “really good advice”. It is the wisdom of God, for His children.

In the heading verse above, I see that James begins with a big one: “What do you need?” How to answer? Do I need to get my way? To have respect? To gain more power? To receive a carefree, easy life?

No, God states that our big need, as His children, is for His wisdom to fill us. So in the admonition of James 1:5-8 (so please now read it) you will see direct action points, not merely good suggestions to consider: I humbly confess that I lack wisdom. I humbly ask for God’s wisdom. I believe in faith that God hears me, and moves to provide for me. I without wavering agree that I will act on what God reveals to me, without waffling about the directives. God graciously and abundantly gives to me the wisdom that I need (1:5). This admonition goes on to say that we cannot trifle with God and His Word (1:6-8). You cannot dabble in God’s Word, twist it for your own devices, and expect to receive His blessing and approval!

I feel led to state that this is God’s wisdom from above, not “below” (cp. 3:13-16 with 3:17-18). Isn’t it powerful to see that James shows this constant obedience to be rooted in our walking with humility (4:6-10)!

So let me close by encouraging us to dig into this Word. Prayerfully read James, and learn what God says about the common struggles I’ve mentioned above: jealousy, selfish ambition, relational landmines? (3:13-4:12) Anger? (1:19-20) Partiality, bias and discrimination? (2:1-13) Coldness, lack of empathy and compassion? (1:27; 2:14-20; 5:1-6) The tongue and hateful speech? (1:26; 3:1-12; 4:11-12) Infighting? (4:1-2)

See what other things the Lord will grant you wisdom in, as you bow before Him in worship, sit before Him in receiving instruction, and walk before Him in all your ways, “…for wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul…” Proverbs 2:10 (NASB)

“Revenge is a dish best served cold,” is a phrase that has been used in movies and books alike. It speaks of seeking vengeance not in the heat of the moment that caused the hurt, but to wait and later to exact the revenge that is due, usually with calculation and cunning. It is a theme that has spawned many a movie, book, and western tales. We all like a good story. One that has you rooting for the hero and encouraging him or her to endure against all odds. Add in a revenge motif and you have a bestseller. The story of Hugh Glass is one such story and is based on true events. In 1823 Hugh was on a trapping expedition and is betrayed by fellow trappers, robbed and left for dead. After surviving a bear mauling, Hugh endures a 300-hundred-mile trek on foot to return to Fort Kiowa spurred on by his desire to avenge his betrayal. It is a natural human response to seek to hurt someone who has hurt you (i.e., tit for tat.) Though it may be natural, is it ours?

Revenge or retaliation is clearly stated to not be the prerogative of the believer. Though our world and American culture thrives on this worldview, it is not to be so for the Christian. Paul, in Romans 12:16-21, admonishes believers to live lives that are in keeping with their standing as children of the King of Kings. Our relationship with others is clearly laid out to be one of peace, not animosity, as much as it depends on us (Rom. 12:18). Why? Are those who have done wrong to be left alone without any expectation of retribution or punishment? When we suffer wrong at the hands of another, our sense of justice cries out for retribution! Notice what Paul says in Rom. 12:19: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Paul recognizes that we have been wronged, that the hurt is real and our desire for retaliation is a normal reaction. But we are told not to take matters into our own hands. Revenge never solves anything but breeds more retaliation and the cycle goes on and on. Wars have been fought, families destroyed and untold misery unleashed all due to the sin of revenge. Instead, we are told to leave room for the wrath of God. In other words, the vengeance department belongs to God and God alone. He is the only One who will execute justice perfectly, keeping in mind that all sin is ultimately against Him. Our response is to be one of forgiveness and our message to the world is one of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21). God has already dealt with the sins of all mankind through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross. Therefore, we leave the issue of restitution to Him, and our duty is to declare the message of reconciliation and do all we can to be at peace with those around us. This is far from the clamor we hear today in our cultural and political world. Cries of vengeance and getting even are growing louder by the day. Though we desire to see justice, justice will be and has been meted out by God Himself. Paul states that by doing good, which includes respecting what is right in the sight of men (if it is not contrary to God’s moral designs) we overcome evil with good. These are truly difficult things to hear and certainly to do, but God “reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” It is His desire that by our right living we will silence the ignorance of foolish men and will bring Him glory.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”   2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB)

Due to my racking up birthdays, and depending on how one looks at it, I possess either the advantage or the burden of a longer view of life. What I observe in my long view is that much of Christendom is picking up speed in conforming to the ever-declining “values” of this world. It is my conviction that Christianity is being appropriated by unredeemed lives, naturally void of spiritual discernment. The result is a pagan collective now identifying as the “new and improved” Christians. Not only is the Church waning in its impact upon the world for Christ—the Way, the Truth, and the Life—but it has willingly bent the knee to embrace the many gods of this world, and most ignobly, the rebranded, redacted “christ” of their vain imaginings.

You can read this in the Word of God: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7)

This third command seems simple at a casual glance. Don’t cuss using any of God’s names. That’s not too restrictive, because it leaves open a huge pile of other curse words we can throw around without consequence…right? That’s poor exegesis, because the emphasis is not about cursing at all. It is about flippantly invoking God’s Name to shore up your speech or a stance you have taken. Don’t imply that God is your nodding character witness, for what you are attempting to do or promote “in His Name.”

Look at the principle underlying this command. Yes, our words matter. Yet our heart attitudes, motives, thoughts, and actions speak as well. God is not manipulated by using His Name, or our spouting rote phrases of worship while our heart is darkened toward Him.  A better picture of the third commandment: Don’t let our lives take His name in vain, let alone our words.

God’s principles and precepts are timeless. Being in His Word should find us humbly receiving it, with a thirst for Spirit-led meaning and resolve to obey its practical application in our life. God’s Word reveals truths about Him that will, to the one who listens, continually sharpen and challenge us.

God’s Word is not given to erect arbitrary hurdles for our discomfort and His amusement. His chosen people under the Law were commanded to live above the cultures of the pagans. They were in every situation to shun the debasing practices rife around them.  Logically, they could not point the nations to the One True God, if they themselves were simultaneously prostituting themselves before local idols.

To develop that “bigger picture” thinking into our reading of the Old Testament, we should connect the story to God’s call for our distinctiveness as Christians here in the church age (1 Pe. 2:9-12).  No, we are not a refined and better Judaism. We are children of the New Covenant through the finished work of Christ, and we are to shine in this darkened world for Him. It is an inescapable truth that we are not here for our ease. We are called to labor as His ambassadors. We are to point the way to the One True God for the pagans in our midst. We pray and witness, that some would receive eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus, before they enter eternity.

But from within Christendom, the pointing has instead turned to paganizing the church. As if watching much of Romans chapter one being acted out, the cast and crew today without fear push openly to take God’s Name in vain with a spirit of prideful rebellion. The Word of God is rejected joyfully. God’s precepts and principles are grossly twisted for the “new understanding” of unregenerate congregants. “Worship” devolves into the creatures worshiping themselves worshiping. Attractive image and self-focus are the standard currency of the industry. Theology that congratulates cutting-edge apostasy is spewed by the ministers. Confident declarations are aired that that the “church” is ready for change, and god is too. Their god is on the leash, toothless and trained to heel.

Their god.

The LORD my God that I serve does not change. You cannot teach Him. You cannot reason Him away. He is omniscient, omnipotent, eternal and omnipresent. He is awesome in power and does not share His Glory with another. He is the Creator and Sustainer, and He is the One to whom we all will give account (Heb. 4:13). There is salvation only through His Son, and sanctification only through the indwelling Spirit and the immutable Word of God.

And He will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.