40 Days of Peace: Day 27
Week 6
40 Days of Peace: Day 27
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Peace with Others
Focus of the Week: Obeying God’s word brings peace
Please read James 3:13-18
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
When my husband and I go for our “Wednesday Workout” run we always start off with a good stretch and then comes the decision…which road to take? Will we go left; or will we go right? Each direction offers different things and could lead us down further paths if we choose. We just need to be aware of the potential offerings and consequences in order to choose the direction that is right and good for us.
Today’s passage in the book of James contrasts two very different roads or ways of living.
One is wisdom-driven and the other is self-driven. Godly wisdom is clearly defined in these ways: it’s pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (v.17). When we choose to walk obediently in this kind of wisdom, although trials may come, blessings also flow. We are promised, those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness (v. 18).
In stark contrast to this kind of walk, the wisdom that does not come from above is marked by jealousy and selfish ambition and it is labeled earthly, sensual, and demonic. The results of living this way are much more uninviting, creating disorder and every vile thing (v.16). In essence, we bring an unnecessary trial on our own head. The question is, why are we so prone to wander down this path? Why would we not choose God’s way? Because… we’re human; we are “of the earth”. Without divine intervention, we will always choose the flesh! Only Jesus, can save us from this destructive path.
Without Christ we are hopeless and helpless, but with Christ we are just the opposite. He came to earth to show us how to live, and he gave us his Spirit to help us obey. Call on him as Savior and as Helper. He wants to walk down paths of peace with you. When temptation comes, pray the virtues of wisdom over your heart and mind: “Lord, help me to be pure; help me to be peaceable; help me to be gentle; help me to be open to reason; help me to be full of mercy and good fruits; help me to me impartial (no favoritism); and help me to be sincere (no hypocrisy).”
We have choices to make every day and we won’t live life perfectly, but with the Lord’s help, we can daily choose to lay down our self-centered living, and through his strength move toward walking in the wisdom from above. Will you? The Prince of Peace lives within you. Hold his hand and choose to walk his way. Blessings are sure to follow.
For further reading: Colossians 3:15-17; Proverbs 3:13-18
Dear Lord and Savior,
We come to you today asking for your peace to rule in our hearts. We acknowledge that conducting life in our own selfish way brings confusion and destruction. When temptation comes, hear us calling out to you boldly. Please let us choose to walk obediently in your wisdom for that is the route that will bring true PEACE. Let our way be yours. Amen
