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James 3:17c
“[The wisdom from above is] full of mercy and good fruits.”
Continuing our look at the characteristics of godly wisdom, we should note that they line up well with the attributes of God Himself. We have seen that the wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, and open to reason (James 3:17a–b). God is pure, being light and having no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). He is the God of peace (Rom. 15:33). Our Creator is gentle and calls His people to reason with Him (Ps. 18:35; Isa. 1:18). Since He is the “only wise God” (Rom. 16:27), the wisdom that He provides must reflect His own qualities.
Today’s passage adds “full of mercy and good fruits” to the characteristics of godly wisdom (James 3:17c). Of course, these are attributes that God also possesses. The Lord our God is “a merciful God” (Deut. 4:31). He is also the paradigm of fruitfulness, being the Creator of the universe and source of every good thing (James 1:17).
Wisdom is full of mercy. To be merciful involves doing good to those who do not deserve it, giving people better things than they deserve. We usually associate mercy with forgiveness, and for good reason. After all, we know that we cannot earn the Lord’s forgiveness and that He is not required to give it. His forgiveness is a free gift that is received by faith alone in Christ alone, not something that we can merit (Rom. 4). God delights in not showing His anger forever but is eager to forgive and show steadfast love and mercy (Mic. 7:18). Those who possess wisdom from Him do the same.
James 3:17c reveals that godly wisdom is full not only of mercy but also of good fruits. As we grow in divine wisdom, we grow in good works, looking more and more for opportunities to do them. These good works are fruit that demonstrate our faith, as James 2:14–26 explains, so if we have no good works, we should not think that we have true faith. Godly wisdom creates active Christians who seek to further what is good in every sphere where they operate, not passive believers who are content to stand by and watch others do what is right. Believers full of the wisdom from above imitate their Creator by doing good to all people and especially to those who believe (Ps. 145:9; 1 Tim. 4:10). Matthew Henry comments, “Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits, inwardly disposed to every thing that is kind and good, both to relieve those who want and to forgive those who offend, and actually to do this whenever proper occasions offer.”
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
God is merciful and actively fruitful, so those who possess His wisdom from above show mercy and bear fruit in good works of service to the Lord and to neighbor. Sometimes it can be difficult for us to show mercy, but we must remember that truly wise people are merciful and quick to forgive the penitent. If there is someone whom you need to forgive this day, do not hesitate to do so. By showing mercy, you will display and grow in godly wisdom.
For further study
- Exodus 34:6–7
- Matthew 5:14–16
The bible in a year
- Isaiah 31–33
- Philippians 1
- Isaiah 34–37
- Philippians 2–3