James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
If you want your recipe to come out right, you have to start with the right ingredients. This simple principle doesn’t just apply to the kitchen. It is also evident in faith and life.
If a person would like to be considered spiritually wise and understanding, he or she must show evidence of good conduct. What does that good conduct look like? That person should possess a wisdom that is tempered with meekness. No amount of skill can make something good out of what is evil. If a person is polluted with bitter jealousy and selfish ambition they are not wise and understanding. Such a person is impure — filled with great sin.
Since humanity’s fall into sin, there is no one who is pure. But, God who is rich in mercy sent His Son Jesus, the very wisdom of God, to save us. Through His death on the cross and resurrection God freely gives forgiveness and new life through faith. What does this new life look like?
James 3:17-18 “ 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
May God grant us faith as we follow our Savior Jesus. Through Jesus we are daily released from guilt and released from slavery to the old order of evil in this world. In place evil, God will do a new thing in us. By His saints God will raise a harvest of righteousness, sown in peace, by those who make peace.
The Collect for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost
O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please you in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Let us pray
I thank you Lord Jesus for coming into the world and through your mighty acts overthrowing the power of the evil one. Help me to be patient in this present age and sow the seeds of peace through a life of faith in you and love for my neighbor. In your name I pray, AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.