The world we live in is marked by tremendous advances in technology. Mankind has discovered and accomplished remarkable things. Can you imagine our great-great grandparents living in the 1800’s looking at a 65-inch flat screen TV observing events on the other side of the world, or flying in a jet airplane, or riding in a modern air-conditioned vehicle. While admiring these advances, we must not confuse these accomplishments with wisdom. Wisdom is different than knowledge or the ability to produce. Along with these advances there has been an explosive increase in wickedness and vain thinking. Brethren, we know that God does not change, and His truth, righteousness, and goodness do not change. Neither does mankind improve with advances in technology and conveniences. Man’s ability to be innovative is not to be confused with wisdom. Wisdom is not attached to this world’s innovative successes or achievements. The standard of wisdom remains the same, and it is the opposite of living as a fool in opposition to God.

Wisdom possesses an attitude of gratitude to God. Wisdom looks at the blessings we have received, and does not get puffed up or caught up in the blessings, but instead praises God who is the Creator behind it all. Wisdom has its consistent identity with God. James, in his epistle, shows the contrast between the saved and the unsaved. James 3:17 says, “But, the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.” The sentence begins with a “but” because he is making a contrast. Regardless of advances in many areas to make life more physically pleasant, the standard of true wisdom against false wisdom is the same today as when our first parents committed sin. Our lives are to be lived in relation to Christ. These righteous attitudes do not change, and the things of the world cannot replace them.

James leads his list with “pure” which is the idea of innocence from blame. He means we must have righteous motives. We are to be concerned and unwavering in our relationship with God by love and faith, and in our treatment of others. Later he will say, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). The world has become more sophisticated. People have managed to be innovative and use the resources God has provided on this planet to better their physical lives. Instead of thanking God for these and exercising His wisdom to use them beneficially for all, much of the world continues to spend its GNP on hate and weapons of war. Some spend by necessity in order to protect because of evil, and others in order to invade and conquer. The achievements have also increased man’s ability to produce evil to an unimaginable degree. Advancements have not changed man’s heart condition, but instead have provided new ways for man to produce evil.

Our nation has become arrogant in sin. We have a political party that is unashamedly seeking to directly defy God at every level of human existence. Most of our nation is made up of people who do not recognize the truth, and believe existentially that humanistic freedom means that morality can be redefined. Practically speaking these believe that God is dead. Children are being reared in a culture of atheism, immorality, and self-centeredness. A little further into James’ epistle he states, “Come now, you who say, ‘today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit” (James 4:13). He is making the point that people have left God entirely out of their lives. These believe that living is all about their own abilities and give no consideration to God. He, however, brings it back to reality, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘if the Lord wills, we will live and also do this and that’” (James 4:14). To realize our weakness and total dependence upon God is what is meant by these words. It is, “The fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). We must be constantly reminded of not only who our God is, but also who we are as helpless sinners.

If we are not troubled about what is taking place in our world, then we have bought the lie and fallen prey to the world system. James however, like Peter, addresses those of us who have the same mindset as Lot in Sodom, “Oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men” and it says, “His righteous soul was tormented day after day by their lawless deeds” (2 Pet. 2:7-8). To encourage true brethren, James begins to close out his letter, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near” (James 5:7-8). Brethren, there is only one place to look for true comfort, and that is to Christ Himself. He is found in His Word. He also hears our prayers. I encourage you as I encourage myself to keep looking to Him who alone is able and worthy. He is coming again, and He will make all things new, “Come, Lord Jesus!”