i spent about a week or so on this chapter alone, so i'm gonna share just a little of what i experienced as i went through it.
vs. 5: "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him"
what do those words mean in the context of this verse/passage? i spent a lot of time dwelling on them, trying to find a connection and an explanation for the wording.
the only cross reference in my bible is to prov.28:5 which says "evil men do not understand justice but those who seek the Lord understand it completely"
which made me think that maybe the key in the verse was not so much the without reproach, but the generously.
the idea that our God would not hold back any wisdom, but grant it to us completely and without reproach, or without any thought to our underservedness.
the word REPROACH is defined as:
1. To express disapproval of, criticism of, or disappointment in (someone).
2. To bring shame upon; disgrace.
the second definition is the one that jumps out at me. the idea that my God does not show wisdom with the intent of producing shame, but in a generous and complete way as if it were His will to grant it.
anyway. those are my thoughts on that. :) and hopefully NOT just my thoughts.
throughout the first chapter, i found a theme of sorts. every time i read another paragraph or section, it came back to this thought. that of CONSTANCY vs. FICKLENESS.
"let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect..."
"the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind"
"he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways"
"like a flower of the grass he will pass away"
"blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial..."
"each man is tempted when he is lured and enticed..."
"from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change"
"but the one who...perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed..."
it seems to me that there is blessedness and honor for him who remains constant. not tossed by the wind or easily persuaded, but one perseveres under trial.
my biggest question was, what is the problem with fickleness? sure, it's not a very pretty word, but what makes it that way? and why does james say that one who doubts is double-minded and unstable in all his ways?
perhaps because the one who is fickle has placed his own opinions, feelings, comfort level, and sense of truth above God's. he has decided to lean on his own inclinations which tell him to move one way and then another. he has placed his own wisdom above God's. God who DOES NOT CHANGE.
it talks about the man who asks for wisdom without faith but with doubt, expecting to receive it. he has placed his methods and ideas on a pedestal, in his own pride believing that he can have each foot on opposite ground. he can pick and choose truth without having to take a stand. i don't think God likes that...
okay. i know that was kinda long, and i might have gotten a little carried away, but i think this is good stuff. feel free to comment on whatever. especially if you think i might have said something weird or even wrong. :/ or to provide further insight...
Love, krystal.
the second definition is the one that jumps out at me. the idea that my God does not show wisdom with the intent of producing shame, but in a generous and complete way as if it were His will to grant it.
anyway. those are my thoughts on that. :) and hopefully NOT just my thoughts.
throughout the first chapter, i found a theme of sorts. every time i read another paragraph or section, it came back to this thought. that of CONSTANCY vs. FICKLENESS.
"let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect..."
"the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind"
"he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways"
"like a flower of the grass he will pass away"
"blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial..."
"each man is tempted when he is lured and enticed..."
"from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change"
"but the one who...perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed..."
it seems to me that there is blessedness and honor for him who remains constant. not tossed by the wind or easily persuaded, but one perseveres under trial.
my biggest question was, what is the problem with fickleness? sure, it's not a very pretty word, but what makes it that way? and why does james say that one who doubts is double-minded and unstable in all his ways?
perhaps because the one who is fickle has placed his own opinions, feelings, comfort level, and sense of truth above God's. he has decided to lean on his own inclinations which tell him to move one way and then another. he has placed his own wisdom above God's. God who DOES NOT CHANGE.
it talks about the man who asks for wisdom without faith but with doubt, expecting to receive it. he has placed his methods and ideas on a pedestal, in his own pride believing that he can have each foot on opposite ground. he can pick and choose truth without having to take a stand. i don't think God likes that...
okay. i know that was kinda long, and i might have gotten a little carried away, but i think this is good stuff. feel free to comment on whatever. especially if you think i might have said something weird or even wrong. :/ or to provide further insight...
Love, krystal.
I can't fully comprehend it right now, because it's late, but I like it. :)
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