Christian Living
The
wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,
and without hypocrisy – James 3:17
What a wonderful, and revealing, description of heavenly wisdom!
When
we become embittered or angry with another person, even a spouse or a
fellow church member, we can justify a great variety of cruel words,
divisive gossip, or vengeful actions. Sadly, we can even begin to think
of ourselves as being in the right while we spread lies or exaggerate
offenses or nurse grudges.
But the ever-practical pastor James reminds us not to "glory in" or be proud of the bitterness, anger, strife that is in our heart (14).
No matter how objective and genuine our grievance may be, we make
ourselves immediately in the wrong when we respond in a way that is
dishonoring to Christ.
No
matter what the argument or hurt may be, James says, remember that
heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be approached.
Godly wisdom is full of mercy, so it looks over personal injuries; it is
full of good fruits so it responds with a formidable love when attacked
or provoked.
A
truly wise response will also be without partiality or favoritism. It
does not judge someone because of past mistakes, or personality flaws,
or family ties. A mature Christian will react with the same forbearance
and discretion and charity to a near stranger as they will to a family
member (or vice versa!).
Dear
Christian, is your present thought life and behavior reflecting the
kind of wisdom that comes from above, or the kind that is earthly,
unspiritual, and devilish?
Daily Smile:
Beatles Computer Song - Yesterday
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All those backups seemed a waste of pay.
Now my database has gone away.
Oh I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly,
There's not half the files there used to be,
And there's a milestone hanging over me
The system crashed so suddenly.
I pushed something wrong
What it was I could not say.
Now all my data's gone
And I long for yesterday-ay-ay-ay.
Yesterday,
The need for back-ups seemed so far away.
I knew my data was all here to stay,
Now I believe in yesterday.
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