Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

Cor 11:2). Pure wisdom is without mixture (hypocrisy) and without filthiness
(sins). Hence the command zealously to guard against contamination of any
and all kinds (2 Pet. 2:14), and forcefully to get rid of it, when it has taken a
foothold (Rom. 8:13)! The fact that James teaches evangelical obedience
does not lower God’s moral standards one iota, much less remove them. In a
word, no one should “cry up justification to exclude sanctification” (Manton,
311-312). Purity is a matter of both heart, which includes the exercise of its
internal functions of thinking, willing and feeling (Mt. 5:8), and life (Mt.
5:22; 1 Thess. 4:4; 1 Pet. 2:11; 3:2; 2 Pet. 2:14, 20; 1 Tim. 3:9; Jude 8), which
includes speaking and responding, acting, pro-acting and reacting (Zeph. 3:9;
Eph. 4:29; 5:4; 2 Pet. 2:18; Jude 16). In short, it implies total evangelical purity
(Zech. 13:1; 1 Cor. 6:11), moral purity (Heb. 9:14, 22), social purity
(Deut. 5:16-21), inward purity, (Heb. 3:12; 12:15), and outward purity (Mal.
3:3). All this reminds us of God himself (Ps. 12:6; Hab. 1:13). Purity of heart
is the starting point or foundation stone. Purity of life, which includes intellectual,
volitional, and emotional purity, is the superstructure. James undoubtedly
has both in mind. Of course, this wisdom specifically excludes the
self-interest and selfish ambition on display, also in the teachers. The centrality
of purity is totally in line with, if not reflective of, the thrice holy God (Is.
6:3; Rev. 4:8). It is no surprise that what may be called central in God is also
central in the believer.
2. Wisdom is peaceable. This is, flowing forth from purity, wisdom
loves, desires, promotes, and makes peace (Prov. 3:12). The first aspect of
peace is the peace with God, through the blood of the Lord Jesus (Rom. 5:1).
The second aspect is peace with the neighbor (Heb. 12:14). The third aspect
pertains to peace of mind (Phil. 4:7). 307 In the present context the second aspect
comes into view (Jude 19; 1 Cor. 13:7; 14:30). It never “starts quarrels,
strife, dissension and turbulence” (Lenski, quoted in Keddie, 145), whether in
family relations, church affairs, business transactions, the political arena, or
anywhere else in society, but “seeks to prevent and remove dividedness in a
community” (Cheung, 143). Division and alienation are overcome by conciliation
and unity, not only by promoting cooperation, but also by removing
all causes that may lead to quarrels and strife (Mitton, 140). Wars will only be
started with the greatest reluctance, and only when they are defensive in character
and forced upon the defender(s). Totalitarian invasions of foreign territories
are incompatible with the Gospel. Similarly separation, whether ecclesiastical
or otherwise, will occur with equal reluctance, and only when mandated
by God (2 Cor. 6:17). Peace is the basic God-given condition of the
307 See for all three of these aspects William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour
(London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1964) on Eph. 6:15.
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