How does wisdom show herself? How do I know I am walking in it? What is wisdom?
James, the brother of Jesus, had first hand knowledge of Jesus from the beginning. Here is a man who would know Truth and lived side by side, day in and day out, with the man we call Savior. His book sometimes is called the Proverbs of the New Testament. It is full of practical application. He writes:
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
In this case, wisdom is the knowledge and practice of the essentials for godly, upright living. Well I certainly need that! If you show me, I will follow. I can do it. I want to do it.
Pure- to be clean inside and out or not mixed with guilt or anything condemnable.
What does it mean to be clean? I think we all have different ideas of this, you know those levels of well this is ok because everyone else is doing it. Maybe it’s the I had a right to say this or that because he or she offended me or talked about me. What about-this is acceptable but I would never do that? We each have our own methods of justification. Comparison, often is the culprit.
Clean really, is whiter than white. No spots. No wrinkles. Bright. You can see it, feel it, hear it, even smell it. Well count me out. I spill or mark up in moments anything clean, white and bright. Truly, white gets dingy even if I don’t spill on it. Nearly impossible to keep clean!
This is how we treat our relationships, our selves, our lives and often look at others. We think it’s too good to be true.
Notice it’s NEARLY impossible. That’s because near to you and to me is the BUT GOD factor.
We are clean if we- confess our sins and pray for one another (James 5:16), abide in Him (John 15:3-5), and love each other earnestly (1 Peter 4:8). It covers and removes. It gives the benefit. Hopes and believes all things. Keep on keeping on.
And really, it’s our choice. We get to decide. We know. We do know. There is always that little voice, if we choose to recognize it, our conscience guiding and leading us. I love what Paul says in Acts 14:15 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
He sees you through Jesus. Not judgment. God is love (1 John 4:7-8). For you and me.
Clean, no scrubbing required, just hang close enough that you are covered by His love.