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In the past several weeks we have been studying the book of James as he teaches us how to become mature in Christ. It is a book that in summary is telling us that "It's time to grow up!" We have been learning some very practical lessons that we can readily apply to our lives. This week we will learn about the importance of calling on God for the wisdom that you need to live your life and make decisions.

Let's look at this week's passage, found in James 3:13-18:

"If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honourable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness."

It is one thing to have knowledge, but it is another thing to have wisdom. What makes a person wise is the application of knowledge. For this reason the Word of God says that we should prove our wisdom by how we live our lives, and do good works with humility that comes from wisdom. James breaks it down for us.... Someone who is jealous or selfish... is not full of God's wisdom, but full of earthly wisdom.

When you look at a church where there is jealously or selfish ambition, you will find disorder and every evil practice. Why? Because its people are looking out for themselves and are "in the moment"; they are not focused on the long term or the needs of others. Godly wisdom will cause us to be "other" centred; it will cause us to sacrifice our own lives in order to minister to and build up others.

To have order and love in our churches we need wisdom from above... wisdom outside our own logic and humanistic way of handling our problems. Heavenly wisdom is pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. True wisdom makes a person other-centered; in contrast, earthly wisdom concentrates on "self". God makes it clear that we will reap a harvest of righteousness when we rely on heavenly wisdom and sow seeds of peace.

Today we are living in an age of the "consumer church", where people shop around for the best "product" they can get. We need to be careful that we don't join churches only because of what we "receive" from the church; rather, we should seek to join in order to "give" as well.

We need to give of our time, our treasures and our talents for the glory of God. Lakewood recorded a song entitled, "It's All About You". While you might first interpret the "you" to mean, really, you, the "you" in the title refers to Jesus.

The meaning of the song is that it is not about us, but it is all about Jesus. We are here for the glory of God, to bring glory to the Father. In fact that is our function and purpose.

For example, an iron has one main purpose... to take wrinkles out of clothes; your oven has one main purpose... to bake or cook food; we have one main purpose... to give glory for God. God wants our worship to be a lifestyle that brings Him praise.

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him." Romans 12:1

When we seek to parent, minister in the church, or be an exemplary worker on the job, you and I need wisdom from above. Our earthly wisdom is not enough to deal with our problems; we need God's wisdom. However, to need something outside of ourselves will take sincere humility because we will have to admit that we don't have what it takes. This type of humility is rare, but is very necessary in order for us to see God truly at work in our lives and in the lives of others.

This coming week ask God for His wisdom as to how to live, and it will penetrate every area of your life because it would impact every decision you make. His answer - His wisdom - will start pouring out in sure evidence of good deeds into the lives of others. The wisdom of God is not a feeling, rather it is clearly seen, it is tangible, and, therefore, it can be truly experienced. Show compassion, love, and help to others this week... for this is the uncompromising proof that you are truly wise.

Pastor Gary C. Simons serves as the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, 82 Church Street, Hamilton, Bermuda, HM12.

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