"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WISDOM AND PEACEMAKERS"
James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
James 3:18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible.
Some explanatory thoughts, application, and a prayer:
These two verses help us know what God's wisdom looks like. It's in contrast to the wisdom from the devil. Which is found in the verses just before these two. May the Lord bless us all with a simple ability to know when we have or don't have God's wisdom.
1. Wisdom does come from heaven.
James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Earlier in the first chapter of James we were promised that God would give wisdom to those who ask Him for it.
Here in this third chapter James has some more to say about God's wisdom.
He describes it as "the wisdom that is from above”.
Isn't that a beautiful picture in your minds eye.
God is wisdom
Jesus is made unto us wisdom.
The Bible is God's wisdom.
Wisdom comes down from heaven.
Our Father sends His wisdom all the way from heaven to our hearts.
2. Wisdom from heaven is described in great detail for us.
James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
So, here is the detailed description of God's wisdom.
It is pure.
It is peaceable or peace loving
It is gentle at all times.
It is willing to yield to others.
It is full of mercy.
It is full of good deeds.
It shows no partiality.
It is always sincere.
That's a true Godly measurement to use to know if we have God's wisdom or have been tricked into devilish wisdom.
3. A word about peacemakers.
James 3:18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Righteousness has fruit.
Righteousness is sown in peace.
Righteousness comes through those who make peace.
Peacemakers are the people who plant seeds of peace.
Peacemakers are also the people who reap a harvest of goodness.
Some Questions:
1. Who does not need wisdom?
2. I can't think of anyone can you?
3. Isn't it wonderful that God promises to give it to us?
4. And, isn't it wonderful that He helps us know what it looks like when we have it?
A Prayer:
Father in heaven, where we will one day be. We need Your wisdom now here on earth. Thank You for promising to give it to those who ask in faith, and thank You for showing us in detail what it looks like. We can get very confused down here. But, You can help get us on the right path. And when You have us on the right path, then we can be those who sow seeds of peace and those who reap a harvest of blessing and goodness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
