Consequence of Belief

While listening to a message today I was reminded of a section of Scripture.

James 1:5-8 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Isn’t that an awesome promise? God freely offers the wisdom I need every day. It doesn’t say that I have to go to Bible college or fulfill a required course of study or complete an internship. All I have to do is ask.

The only condition is asking in faith and believing. If you doubt, it doesn’t work. No double mindedness is allowed.

So what causes that doubt. One thing would be if we don’t know of God’s character. How can you ask in faith if you don’t know who God is? Another problem is if we have alternate sources. “Well, if God doesn’t come through I’ll…”

A final thing is that we need to know that we need it.

This is from Clarke’s Commentary: Wisdom signifies in general knowledge of the best end, and the best means of attaining it.

An ancient Greek maxim: “The knowledge of ignorance is the beginning of knowledge.”

We need to recognize God as the source of wisdom. There is nowhere else to look and no teacher who can give us what God can’t.

Give it a try.

Philip