Faith and Wisdom

Background Scripture: James 1:1 – 11 Lesson Passage: James 1:1 – 11 This series of Sunday School lessons closes out the summer quarter by examining the letter written by James, the Lord’s brother. Although Jesus’ siblings did not follow him during his earthly ministry, at least two of them, James and Jude, became leaders among the first century Christians. In fact, James was considered one of the pillars of the Jerusalem church. As such, he was part of the group responsible for establishing and defending the doctrine of the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul looked to James and the other apostles in Jerusalem for guidance whenever a matter concerning church doctrine arose among the Gentile congregations. In the letter James wrote to the Jewish Christians who were scattered away from Jerusalem by the early persecution, he had a lot to say about faith, money and prayer. This lesson presents some of his words of wisdom about faith. James began by equating a Christian enduring trying times in life as a result of their spiritual conviction to a test of their individual faith. In this context, he defines faith as patiently relying on God in difficult situations. Difficult situations can be used by God to help a person’s patience develop into Christian maturity. Christians who demonstrate extreme patience in difficult life situations probably are not facing their first trial as a Christian. Previous trials have helped their patience mature. Simply put, they have learned to trust God by trusting God. It is a person’s faith in God that allows them to develop such steadfastness of character. Those who have lived a few years as a Christian can attest that this is not an easy process to go through. Spiritual maturity that is manifest through patience results from practice, practice, practice, and more practice. The more a Christian endures patiently the more they can patiently endure. James implied that the results of the trials justify the process used by God to achieve those results. Put another way, although suffering is not desired, Christian maturity is desired. Therefore, God may choose to use suffering as a process for spiritual maturation. When one can see the end results, then going through the process gets a little easier. For this reason, James declared that Christians should count all trials of their faith as something to rejoice in. Our joy is not in the trials but in the end results of them. Our faith in God must be sincere and not wishy-washy. True faith stands up during times of trials and doesn’t fall apart. Divine wisdom allows us to understand this. James’ letter declares that God gives wisdom to whoever ask Him for it in faith. In other words, if you don’t really want to receive this type of wisdom, then you should not ask God for it. To do so shows spiritual instability and not steadfast faith. Although it might not feel like it at the time, trials of faith benefit Christians. Next, James addressed how a Christian should respond to changes in their personal station in life. We readily understand the first part of this. When a poor person is elevated, or given things of value in this life, then they should glorify God for it. Ultimately, God is the one who promotes individuals in life. On the other hand, when the rich or wealthy are demoted or humbled in life, then they should likewise glorify God for it. Taken together, these perspectives allow all Christians to understand that God determines a person’s station in life. It also is a reminder that everything in this life is temporary. Never treat that which is temporary as though it is permanent and never treat that which is permanent and eternal as though it is temporary. We can learn from James that faith and wisdom are both virtues developed within believers by a loving God. Robert C. Hudson July 20, 2020

Wisdom to Follow

July 26, 2020 Background Scripture: Proverbs 3:17; 8:32 – 36; John 14:1 – 14 Lesson Passage: John 14:1 – 14 Just when you finally start to get used to something, then everything changes. After three years, the disciples had grown accustomed to following Jesus around. They watched him perform many miracles. He had the answer for every dilemma they encountered. He even gave them authority over demonic spirits and allowed them to cast them out and heal the sick. The disciples began to argue as to which one of them would become the second-in-command to Jesus. The life they were getting used to was not the life that Jesus was preparing them for ultimately. Jesus was preparing them for eternal life in the presence of the Father. Jesus’ ministry in the world was coming to an end and their ministry was about to start. Jesus was returning into eternity and preparing eternity for their subsequent arrival. After preparations are made and the time is right, Jesus was going to return to receive them and carry them into eternity. That was the message Jesus gave his disciples on the evening that he was betrayed and arrested. This message brought sadness and grief to them. Jesus seemed excited about it, but it was not exciting for his disciples. Oh, the questions they must have had that evening. Why can’t things stay the way they are? Why do you have to go? Can’t we just continue to do what we are doing, and you remain with us? Three of the disciples saw pass their grief and therefore had questions for Jesus. Jesus stated that they knew where he was going and the way to get there. Thomas was confused by that statement. He did not know where Jesus was going and therefore, he could not know the way. Jesus’ response reduced every other spiritual pursuit to an exercise in religion that is devoid of eternal salvation. Jesus is the only way to reach the Father. There are no alternate routes. Jesus and the Father are one. To know Jesus is to know the Father. This statement confused Philip. Philip’s request was very simple: Show us the Father and that would suffice. Jesus reiterated that there is complete oneness between the Father and him. All that Philip could see in the Father he had already seen in Jesus. All the miracles were evidence of the oneness between Jesus and the Father. The miracles of Jesus should be accepted as evidence of the presence of the Father in Jesus. Furthermore, the disciples who trusted Jesus would do greater miracles than the ones Jesus performed. This would be possible because of Jesus’ return to the Father in eternity. Just as the Father did the miracles for Jesus, Jesus would do the miracles for his disciples. Everything Jesus did in the world was to represent the Father to the world. The Father responded to Jesus’ needs in the world because Jesus represented Him. As the disciples represent Jesus in the world, Jesus would respond to everything they need. “Asking in his name” was not a formula appended to prayer requests. “Asking in his name” is equivalent to “asking as a representative of his”—or better yet, asking on Jesus’ behalf. When we act on Jesus’ behalf, Jesus does whatever is needed to support the effort. When we act on Jesus’ behalf, we follow Jesus’ example and instructions to us. We don’t get what we want by adding “in Jesus’ name” to the end of our prayer requests. We get what we need when the world sees Jesus in us. Follow Jesus’ example and then we can ask for whatever is needed to do so. Robert C. Hudson July 6, 2020