It’s the Way You Live that Counts
James 3:13-17 (MSG) 13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish plotting. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
Yesterday after our service I downloaded “The Message” onto my Bible app. I use primarily the NRSV and the NIV study Bibles. But our pastor has used “The Message” on occasion and I found I enjoy the way it reads. 17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others.
I wonder how many people are lacking in Godly wisdom because they have redefined the meaning of wisdom to match the world’s understanding rather than God’s. Had you ever considered that Godly wisdom is connected to the way we treat others?
Being mean spirited, boastful, twisting the truth does not lead to, nor does it reflect, wisdom. Instead, such behavior reflects a shallowness that is not of God.
May we develop true wisdom as we grow in gentleness and mercy toward others.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Seeking Holiness 