The Pulpit Commentary — James — Section 29

Vere. 5-S.-The prayer of faith. In the former verses the writer, after the apparent paradox of wishing "joy" (ver. 1) to those so persecuted and tried, proceeded (,_ers. 2--4) to urge, not merely joy in spite, but joy by reason, of these Lthings. For, 1111.1d he, by these things the faith, which is of so great price, is developed and perfected. It might seem, however, that, with God so purposing, and man thankfully concurrin.,. in the Divine purpose, yet, from lack of true discernment, of wise judgment, man might fail to realize the profit of the Divine purpose; might lose, not gain, by the testincrs, For surely it requires much Christian judgment so to meet temptation, and so to b:ar trial, that the continued testing, instead of depressing and damaging our life, shall be ~vermore bearing us upward and onward. And now, in the verses before us, this is provided. for. "If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God." In order that at last we may be "lacking in nothing," God will supply this present lack, which is so urgent. And the general p1inciple, which gives force to this special application, is here set forth. The main thoughts are two--God's giving; man's receiving. I. GoD's GIVING. An essential element of God's nature is self-impartation, if we may reverently speak of him as he has revealed himself. So the inmost significance of the doctrine of the Trinity; so the great fact of the creation. And so to all created things there is a constant streaming forth of God's goodness. Like the shining of the sun. But the streaming forth of God's goodness is conscious, deliberate, free, We may have regretfully to relinquish the etymology which identifies the words "God" and" good;" but never need we relinquish the truth that God is essentially the Good One. " God giveth:" 1. Our life, including existence itself, so sacred as being thus from him; our appetences and their satisfactions; our powers and scope for use; our ideals and their realization ; our idiosyncrasy of life, and of life-history, 2. Our redemption, including the gift of the Son; the Spirit; our penitence; our faith; the blessedness of the new life in God. 3. And now the blended life, in the world and in God; all " good things" (Matt. vii 11). "Liberally;" i.e. simply, absolutely, disinterestedly. Out of the abundance of bis goodness. Hence, "to all;" no caprice in such a One. And hence, " upbraideth not." Selfishness gives, grudges, and rebukes; he gives with a. perfect love, and hence delights to give. Let us realize this concept.ion of God. How it alters the complexion oflife! what effect it has upon character! We may not,indeed, forget his inflexible holiness, his absolute demands on our obedience. 'rhis, indeed, the fundamental relationship ; so probably the true etymology of" God," as meaning" Ruler." This the one deep significance of the cross, which shows God's holy love. And this the meaning of the absolute call to repent, as preceding the gift of life; an unconditional surrender. Yes, remember that, realize it, act upon it-the truth that God is holy. But, so soon as the barrier of unrepenteti sin is removed, realize all the infinite e.flluence of bis love--tbat he delighteth in mercy, that he is emphatically the Good Being, whose iroodness is ever surging and streaming forth that it may lavish itself upon his creatures, u1,on me! As regards your life-history-realize ~od's yearning_ love; the bound~ess possibilities of your future. As regards your salvation-all grace, m a world of conflict; all glory, in the world of perfected conquest. ll. MAN'S RECEIVING. The higher the nature of any creature, the more are its development and growth conditional upon its own appropriation of the material of development and irrowth. Consider, in this respect, mere existences and forces ; vegetation; animal life; man: Hence the life of man, t~~ .c~eature of fr~edom, is at once a lifo of the greatest perils and of the greatest poss1b1ht1es. Lordship over the world; mental acquisitions. He may climb so high; he may sink so low I Is it not well :.bus? Does not our manhood dwindle in proportion as we become mere passive :ecipients? Illlllitrate the high manhood of personal achievement by artist and hit1 work-would be care to find bis picture finished by an unseen band? also by enterprise of a people, which calls forth their powers and goes to make them what they are. So the glory of our spiritual life is that it is not necessitated, but free, And so the supreme glory of the kingdom of heaven, as a kingdom of redemption, is that, humanly speaking, ',; "i;uffereth violence, and the violeut take it by force." Hence, if we would become dtt. t. 1-21.J THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. 23