Two Ways To Live Series

If you have grown up in church, there is a good chance that somewhere along the way, you have heard this phrase, “Be in the world, but not of the world.” And depending on what church you grew up in, that could mean all kinds of things…but let’s be honest, sometimes that idea is what turns Christians weirdos. But rightly understood and applied, it’s the idea that there is a tension that every Christian has to manage. The practical reality that we are living among the citizens of this Earth, but we are not to value what godless culture values. And the reason we should not do that, is because Scripture teaches that a Christians true citizenship is in heaven. If someone came up to you today and said, “You look like a pilgrim.” Or, “You look like an alien.” My guess is that may not be incredibly encouraging.

But in a spiritual sense, that is exactly what we are according to the Bible. We are pilgrims passing through on our way to heaven. We are aliens and strangers here because heaven is our true home. So, while we are living a real life in a real world, we cannot attach ourselves to all that it offers. And one of the ways citizens of heaven should distinguish themselves from non-citizens, is how we think about and pursue wisdom. Turn with me to James 3 as we continue our series through the book of James called Faith & Works.

We have been teaching that the book of James is really a series of tests about the genuineness of our conversion. Today he is going to test us on where a true follow of Christ goes to wisdom. And let me share this – this is really where the rubber meets the road. If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, who the Bible says is the “wisdom of God,” and yet the wisdom of Scripture does not drive your day-to-day decisions, you need to ask some hard questions regarding your relationship with Jesus. Paul said it in Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” The reason our minds need renewed, is because our way of thinking about things is flawed.

Our thinking and our wisdom, has been damaged by the fall. One of the things that Jesus came to redeem, is our flawed thinking. And when we allow him to do that, there will be a separation of values, beliefs, motivations, and life application that exists in the people of God. Simply put, part of being a true Christian, is desiring to think like one. And the tension is that our pride tells us, we have all the wisdom that we need. Our way of viewing things and valuing things is the right way. So, let’s see what James teaches us regarding two ways to live….

James 3:13-18

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What James does here is he paints a vivid picture and gives very stark contrasts regarding what it looks like to receive and apply godly wisdom versus receiving and applying earthly wisdom. And the difference between the two couldn’t be any bigger. The way this plays out in a person’s life begins with Who and What at person worships and extends to how they make every decision they make. This plays out in the reality that what God’s people believe is true, the world believes is false and what the world deems as valuable, God’s people view as worthless.

Pastor Sam Storms says “The world and the Church tell two entirely different and utterly contrary stories about the nature of reality, the meaning of life, what truth and goodness may be found, and what the ultimate destiny of mankind will be.”

And Pastor James says amen to that as he paints a very clear picture and he starts off by asking us a very simple, but important question to answer in verse thirteen when he asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” Without thinking too deeply about it, just your gut reaction, what type of person do you think of when you think of a wise person? Would we go to the people with silver hair first this morning? Sometimes experience and age CAN produce wisdom…but not always. That’s why we say, “there is no fool like an old fool.”