Heavenly Wisdom

By Mike Haley, Retired Pastor of Hallmark Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX

Read James 3:17-18.

As I grow older, I have experienced the temptation to grow resentful as I view life in the rearview mirror.  The disappointments and unfulfilled dreams can cause us to grow a bit bitter.  I have also observed some who have suffered their fair share of heartaches, who seem to get sweeter and enjoy their life, even to the end of it.   So, I have questioned myself: what makes this difference?  Why do some keep smiling and enjoying their life while others grow sadder and more distant?

James seems to answer this question in his book of wisdom.   In just a few short verses, he contrasts the differences between worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. 

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure.” The very first mark of this wisdom is “purity.”  I think that it is given first because it is the most important quality of heavenly wisdom.  A pure heart is one that has a purity of motives.  Jesus said in His first beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” That kind of heart seeks to please the Lord and has only one agenda: to live life for His glory.  That kind of heart trusts God to work all things out so we become more and more like Him, even in our disappointments and trials.  That kind of heart is surrendered fully to fulfill God’s plan, not their own.

Elisabeth Elliot suffered the loss of her husband to a group of Waorani warriors. Jim Elliot, along with four others, was slain while trying to explain the love of our Christ to them.  His wife later said, “God is the God of human history, and cause and effect are in His hands, not ours.  I dethrone God in my heart if I demand that He act in ways that satisfy my idea of justice.”  It is the same spirit that taunted, “If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” There is unbelief and even rebellion in the attitude that God has no right to allow the savage murder of these five men.

A heart that is fully surrendered believes that God is able to take my trials and my unfulfilled dreams and bring glory to Himself.  He has the power to give us a new heart.  One that is pure.  That kind of heart will have a life, as James points out, that is “peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

Paul exhorts Timothy, “Flee youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” I find that I must daily put to death my old heart desires and decide today to live for His glory and His honor with all my heart!

Paul said to the believers in Corinth, “He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

God is the God of human history, and cause and effect are in His hands, not ours.  I dethrone God in my heart if I demand that He act in ways that satisfy my idea of justice.

Elizabeth Eilliot

Reflective Questions:

1. Do people see you as a person of mercy, authenticity, and peace? Do you act the same way at home as you do at work…or at church?
2. Do you build others up, rejoice at their successes, and place the needs of others ahead of your own?
3. Will you give God all your heart and love Him above all others today?

Memory Verse:

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

Prayer: 

Dear God, thank you for the life you have given me. Help me recognize Your blessings and enjoy life each day. I know that life is not always going to be smooth and easy, and I may not always understand what happens. During those times, help me to have a pure and surrendered heart devoted to bringing glory to Your name. 

Related Scriptures:

Matthew 5:8; James 1:17; II Timothy 2:22; Galatians 2:20; Ezekiel 11:19; Galatians 5:22-23; Proverbs 2:6; I Corinthians 13:4-7; Philippians 1:11; Hosea 10:12