Word@Work James33 - James 3:17-18
Published: Thu, 03/26/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE DYNAMICS OF GODLY WISDOM
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (NIV)
Worldly wisdom seems to be a cross between common sense and past experience of success, but impregnated by self interest. God's wisdom is very different. Because it comes from His heart it will share His characteristics, the first of which is purity. Although human nature is full of mixed motives, Jesus was consistently set on doing His Father's will. Although He spent time with the immoral social outcasts, there was no hint of pollution that stained His character. God wants Christians to desire to be like Jesus - and work it out in practice.
James gives us a catalogue of qualities to be found in Godly wisdom. It is both a check-list so that we can monitor our spiritual progress, and also a schedule for further spiritual development. You will note that the aggression and the 'couldn't care less' attitude of pride with revenge have no place in the godly man or woman. Some may feign a desire of peace after having bullied others to get their own way: that is not peace-loving, it is manipulation with devilish paw prints (cf James 3:14-16). But true peacemakers show their desire for peace in their sacrificial submission of their rights to God's will; and God uses that to raise a harvest of right things.
Today's workplace desperately needs men and woman of integrity, from the boardroom to the shop floor. So do the professions and the self employed. At a time when so many business models have been proved to be flawed, and many managers are unable to predict the effects of their actions, there is a new expectation that Christians will know how to do the right thing. If we look to the Lord for His wisdom and strength, we will shine through in a way that may surprise us; but we will provide the relieving lead which our confused colleagues may be longing for.
Prayer: God of purity and love. Please help me to be like you in this confused world. I need Your wisdom and the grace to submit to what You say. Then I will need the courage to do what is right, even if it means sacrificial change for me. May my actions at work demonstrate that I really do want to be holy. For Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Worldly wisdom seems to be a cross between common sense and past experience of success, but impregnated by self interest. God's wisdom is very different. Because it comes from His heart it will share His characteristics, the first of which is purity. Although human nature is full of mixed motives, Jesus was consistently set on doing His Father's will. Although He spent time with the immoral social outcasts, there was no hint of pollution that stained His character. God wants Christians to desire to be like Jesus - and work it out in practice.
James gives us a catalogue of qualities to be found in Godly wisdom. It is both a check-list so that we can monitor our spiritual progress, and also a schedule for further spiritual development. You will note that the aggression and the 'couldn't care less' attitude of pride with revenge have no place in the godly man or woman. Some may feign a desire of peace after having bullied others to get their own way: that is not peace-loving, it is manipulation with devilish paw prints (cf James 3:14-16). But true peacemakers show their desire for peace in their sacrificial submission of their rights to God's will; and God uses that to raise a harvest of right things.
Today's workplace desperately needs men and woman of integrity, from the boardroom to the shop floor. So do the professions and the self employed. At a time when so many business models have been proved to be flawed, and many managers are unable to predict the effects of their actions, there is a new expectation that Christians will know how to do the right thing. If we look to the Lord for His wisdom and strength, we will shine through in a way that may surprise us; but we will provide the relieving lead which our confused colleagues may be longing for.
Prayer: God of purity and love. Please help me to be like you in this confused world. I need Your wisdom and the grace to submit to what You say. Then I will need the courage to do what is right, even if it means sacrificial change for me. May my actions at work demonstrate that I really do want to be holy. For Christ's sake. Amen.
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