April 13, 2017 – James 3:16-17

For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:16-17

Pure wisdom comes only from God. How do you know something is from God and is pure?  There are ways to know, if we are looking for them.   It is the way to know what is the best thing to do in any situation — look for understanding and wisdom from above.

As you read these words, how do they make you feel?  Jealousy, ambition, disorder, and evil.  Makes my heart beat faster and try to protect myself from the things that might happen when a friend or action is filled with these qualities.

Now, read these words: peaceful, gentle at all times, not thinking of ourselves, sincere, and always doing good deeds.  The question is, which describes how you and I think and how we live each day.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28.  This is the way Jesus lived on earth.  He loved us before we ever began breathing.  Living like Jesus  lived with peace in our hearts towards all people, brings us joy.

If we are peacemakers, living like Jesus, we plant seeds of peace. Why is this important?  A time of harvest is coming.  We choose between righteousness or wickedness with each word we say and each action we do every day. Are these decisions important?  YES!  These decisions count up to where we spend eternity.