Brethren, there is a wisdom that comes from God, a wisdom that does not originate in human reasoning or personal experience, but flows directly from heaven. This wisdom helps us not to practice evil, but to do what is right with joy in the Lord. It shapes our decisions, corrects our intentions, and aligns our hearts with the will of God. To receive wisdom from above is a great privilege, one that should never be taken lightly. God, in His grace, desires that His children walk in discernment and understanding, reflecting His character in every area of life.
This divine wisdom is not cold or mechanical; it is filled with life and produces joy. When we act according to the wisdom of God, obedience is no longer a burden, but a delight. The believer understands that doing what is right honors God and brings peace to the soul. Even when obedience requires sacrifice, the joy of pleasing the Lord outweighs the cost. This joy is not dependent on circumstances, but on the assurance that we are walking in God’s truth.
For this wonderful work that God performs in us, let us respond with gratitude. Gratitude flows naturally from a heart that recognizes God’s goodness. When we acknowledge that every good gift comes from Him, our lives become acts of thanksgiving. Let us also remain rooted in the love of God, allowing that love to shape our relationships and actions. Those who receive wisdom from God are called not to keep it to themselves, but to help others draw closer to God and understand His Holy Word.
Helping others approach God is a natural result of a life guided by divine wisdom. Wisdom teaches us to be patient with others, to speak with grace, and to teach with humility. It reminds us that we, too, are recipients of mercy. When we love others in the love of God, we reflect Christ Himself. Teaching the Word of God is not merely an intellectual task, but an act of love that seeks the spiritual good of others considerately and faithfully.
Love and wisdom are among the greatest blessings that God gives to His people. Wisdom without love can become harsh, and love without wisdom can become misguided. God unites both in Christ Jesus. Through this union, we are able to love sincerely and teach faithfully. Christ Himself is the perfect example of wisdom and love working together. He instructed with truth, corrected with compassion, and loved with sacrifice.
Jesus Christ has blessed us with His riches in wisdom. Through Him, we have access to the knowledge of God’s will and the understanding needed to live rightly. The wisdom found in Christ leads us to humility, obedience, and faithfulness. For this reason, let us praise God with all our hearts, acknowledging that every insight, every act of discernment, and every step of obedience is made possible by His grace.
The apostle James speaks very clearly about this wisdom that God gives to each of His children. He makes it evident that this wisdom does not arise on its own, nor is it the result of human effort alone. Rather, it is a gift that comes from the great and magnificent God. James connects wisdom directly to trials, teaching us that God uses difficulties to shape our character and deepen our faith.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:2-5
James begins by calling believers to an unexpected response: joy in the midst of trials. This joy does not arise from the trials themselves, but from the knowledge of what God accomplishes through them. Trials test our faith, and that testing produces patience. Patience, in turn, matures us spiritually, shaping us into believers who are steadfast, complete, and grounded in faith.
Patience is not passive resignation, but active endurance. It is the ability to remain faithful while waiting on God’s purposes to unfold. James teaches that patience must be allowed to complete its work. When believers resist the refining process, growth is hindered. But when they trust God through difficulty, they are formed into mature disciples who lack nothing essential for their spiritual walk.
James then addresses the issue of wisdom directly. Recognizing that trials often leave believers confused or uncertain, he offers a simple yet profound instruction: ask God for wisdom. God is not reluctant to give wisdom, nor does He reproach those who ask. On the contrary, He gives generously and graciously. This promise assures believers that divine guidance is always available to those who seek it sincerely.
The wisdom God provides enables believers to endure trials with faith and perspective. It helps them see beyond immediate pain and recognize God’s greater purpose. Through wisdom, believers learn how to respond rightly, avoid bitterness, and maintain hope. Wisdom does not remove trials, but it equips believers to walk through them victoriously.
That wisdom which God gives abundantly to each one of us strengthens us to endure moments of testing and to emerge with renewed faith. Victory in the Lord does not mean the absence of struggle, but faithfulness through it. God uses trials to deepen trust, refine character, and draw His people closer to Himself.
Therefore, let us rejoice in the Lord for His great love and wisdom. Rejoicing is an act of faith that declares confidence in God’s goodness. Let us be joyful in all circumstances, not because life is always easy, but because God is always faithful. Joy rooted in God sustains believers even in the most difficult seasons.
Above all, let us act patiently in the Lord. Patience reflects trust in God’s timing and submission to His will. As we seek wisdom, walk in love, and endure trials faithfully, God continues His work in us. May our lives testify to the wisdom that comes from above—a wisdom that produces righteousness, peace, and enduring joy in the Lord.