WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson
commentary
For
Sunday August 30, 2020
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TWO
KINDS OF WISDOM
(Wisdom
that comes from GOD gives us patience during suffering)
(James
3:13-18 and 5:7-12)
One of the problems that we as humans face in life, whether
we be Christian or non-Christian, is the problem of our own “worldly wisdom”. Our
“self-serving” worldly wisdom causes us to harbor bitterness and ambition in
our hearts, because we’ve, long ago, lost contact with the “Nature of GOD” that
we were all born with. As a result of that, we become moved by a “world wisdom”
that aids us in achieving “worldly selfish ends”, that leave others in ruin, in
our wake.
“Wisdom from GOD”, on the other hand,
directs us into a pure, peace-loving, and submissive way of life, that, we will
not, and cannot find, through our dealings in world wisdom.
We need to become accustomed to living by
the GODly wisdom that will ultimately bring us a harvest of righteousness
through CHRIST JESUS, our LORD. We must learn to speak with thoughtful speech,
and always let our words reflect the wisdom that comes from GOD HIMSELF, at all
times (James 3:13-18).
In the biblical Greek, the word used for “patience
in longsuffering” is “makrothumia”. It describes “a spirit that never grows
irritated, never despairs, and never regards anyone as being beyond salvation”.
In James chapter 5, taking up at verse 7, James encourages the Christian Church
to be “patient even in suffering” as we wait on the “LORD’s return”, or, “second
coming of CHRIST JESUS”. We must be like the farmer who eagerly awaits the
rains in the Fall and early Spring, so that he may realize a bumper crop that will
feed himself and his family (v.7).
The Greek term, “apokaradokia”, can also be
applied in this passage as “it describes the attitude of a person who scans the
horizon, with their heads stretched forward, as he or she eagerly anticipates
the first signs of the coming of the glory of GOD”. Here James is saying that Christians
should patiently wait, and take courage, because the LORD’s blessing are soon
coming to those who have faith and believe in HIM (v.8).
We do not have to lose heart and start
grumbling among each other when things are not going right, or, like we think
that things should go. Our “worldly wisdom”, the kind we must try to rid
ourselves of, can dictate to us, a kind of negativity that causes us to become
violent, critical, bitter, self-serving, and divisive.
GOD will judge us when we bicker among
ourselves, and perhaps, HE may even extend our suffering, for we know that GOD
is standing at the door and sees our every action. In fact, our bickering and
fighting, which is fueled by our “worldly wisdom”, produces, in itself, a painful
suffering, that, can and will, destroy us if we persist in it.
James says that “the patience of Job” is one
of our great examples of “enduring patience” (“hypomonen” in the Greek – “steadfast
perseverance”) (v.11b). From Job’s experiences we see how the LORD’s plan ultimately
works for the greater good and shows how GOD’s tenderness and mercy manifests
itself through, seemingly, insurmountable troubles.
Access
to “GODly wisdom”, like all of GOD’s “communicable attributes” (“GOD’s Nature”,
which HE shares only with mankind), is readily available to everyone who seeks
it. In fact, it is an invisible quality that is stored within our souls from
birth. However, wisdom’s characteristics are clearly visible, and they can be
manifested in our daily activities for everyone to see.
GODly wisdom presents itself in the form of
“pure motives” and “attitudes”. It is a “sweet reasonableness” that extends “grace”,
and treats others, as we ourselves, want to be treated.
James ends this
passage by reminding us about “oaths” or “making promises that we cannot or
will not keep”. We should not sin by swearing oaths when we are clearly “not in
control of the future” or what it will bring. Because our patient waiting
requires us to lead such an honest life, “our integrity”, rather than an oath,
should convince others that we are speaking the truth.
A Sunday school
lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER-
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