Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 NIV
It is a new day; just at this time of the year, seasons are changing. Spiritually too, times are changing. We are in the last days, spoken of many times in the Bible, when many will pursue after strange doctrines, practices and teachings. We are in those days when it is more popular to blend in than to stand for something. It is a time without any deep thinking or rational thought, when all that matters is to look busy. How do I handle the strange times I am in now? What is expected of me? What determines what's right?
There are two key words at the start of today's extract, and they are: understanding and wise. James, who wrote this letter to the Jews who had been scattered among the nations, laid out the standard for Impact, and it has to do first with what is inside of me. Too many times, we have focused on the outer: the hypocrisy and the pretence that are easy to keep up, forgetting that that which will last must be based on inner convictions first, before the lives of men around me can be truly impacted. Would I submit myself to the purifying and searing fire of God, so he can work in me, so I can work effectively for him?
I note that understanding and wisdom are seen as a single substance, which means that a man with wisdom also has understanding. True wisdom comes from God, and understanding is the actual application of that wisdom. You call a man wise when you have examined the quality of his outer life. A fool is so called when you have heard and examined what his life produces. The same goes for the wise man. If God were to ask me, what am I? Am I wise? Do I have understanding and wisdom, as defined by God here, not the false tokens that the world celebrates?
And in today's extract, we see the outward proof of the inner work of God in a man's life. We must see the good life, as well as deeds done in humility. You can never fail to see the outward and human manifestation of the wisdom of God in a man's life. It goes beyond what I claim to be, but what I can provide proof of. Talk is cheap; anyone can say anything. However, when all has been said and done, all that will last and provide proof of who is IN me will be what flows OUT of me. True wisdom does not give room to or encourage pride, because it knows its source. It is able to impact because it knows its purpose and target.
Is my life showing off the inner work of God? Is my life a reflection of the imprint of God? Am I humble enough for God to work in and then out of me, or do I first need to empty myself of the baggage of my past: the dependence on self, the reliance on bank account balances, the trust in my circle of influence and other ephemeral things that hold no eternal value. Men must know from the outer evidence of my life that the Spirit of God reigns in me. That is the proof God would use to impact my world and get people to seek him. My light must shine so that men may see, and glorify God. Anything else is a waste of time. God's time of favour is here.
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