It is easy to be divisive. It doesn’t really take that much. You can bring up any hot topic and find the most controversial statement and get people going. You simply insult your opponent and watch the battle. Some people seem to live for it. They say, think, act, post anything to get something started. They are not trying to start a conversation or be helpful. They are not trying to learn something. They are trying to shove their point forward, even with vengeance if needed. Yet, no one really grows from this. Nothing good comes from this way. It sows ugliness.
In the focus scripture for today, James is trying to help his readers understand the difference in wisdom. He basically says that when our works are done with gentleness, they are born of wisdom. It is not about envy or selfish ambition. Real wisdom results in peace. And wow – could we use peace. Our world would look a lot different if those that follow Christ also sowed peace rather than divisiveness.
That does not mean that Christians go with whatever, though. I am not advocating simply keeping quiet and sitting on the sidelines. Instead, it looks like engaging in conversations for the opportunity to hear, to learn, to grow, and to understand. It looks like working with others to show the love of Christ – which is really what transforms. It looks like not doing or saying or posting things that are just meant to start an argument or to prove a selfish point. It looks like kindness which does not waiver from the foundation of all the Christ teaches – Love God, Love others.
Today, our challenge should be to seek to be wise according to God’s Word. We should work with gentleness and kindness to sow peace. We should reflect good fruits and mercy coming from the Lord. May it be so. May it be so.
Focus Scripture:
James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
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