Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from James 3:1 and following. Indeed, an argument between children of God reveals without risk of error the unbroken will in each of them. The Lord teaches us that this is also an obstacle to answering our prayers (Mark 11:20-25). There may be two reasons why we do not receive a response. The first is that we do not ask, “for whoever asks, receives” (Mat 7:7-11). The second, which we ask badly. This is not about the clumsy form of ourprayers, but about their purpose (in any case “we do not know what to ask for properly”: Rom 8:26-28). Do we pray for the glory of the Lord or to satisfy our lust? These two principles cannot be reconciled. For toimitate the world is to betray the cause of our God: the world has declared war on Him by crucifying its Son, and neutrality is not possible (Mat 12:25-32).
Thus, James moves from the subject of works of faith to an exhortation to his brothers against the common fault of wanting to be master of others when one has not learned in any way to be master of oneself. For if we compare with Rom 2:17-21, we see that the Jews were particularly inclined to imagine themselves to be such, and if they converted, there is no doubt that the same tendency persisted among them. They were still inclined to place themselves as teaching doctors, and at the same time they were reluctant to let themselves be taught and to receive the implanted Word gently.
Other passages of Scripture make it very clear that God enjoyed raising up doctors [“teachers”] in the church, among other gifts, and that all these gifts have to be received with gratitude. The verses before us do not militate against this in the slightest, but they are a warning against the flesh’s so natural desire to continually instruct and legislate for others. The fact that those who teach will receive a harsher judgment than those who are taught, deserves a little stop. How great the contrast is with wisdom from above! Its characteristics are not necessarily of the kind to bring great success in this world, but they delight God and the renewed heart; and he who manifests them can count on having God on his side. Note that purity comes first in the list, even before peace. If we think, we will immediately realize that this must be so, for everything is of God. He never compromises with evil, and so there can be no peace except in purity. This has been so many times the refrain of the prophets: Isa 48:22; Jer. 6:14; Ez. 13:10, 16.
Although wisdom from above is first pure, and only after, peaceful and moderate, it always advances in the directions that generate peace. It is never marked by a fighting spirit. Theywho bring peace sow faithfully what will bring a harvest of the fruit of justice. Peace and justice are not dissociated in Christianity, let alone antagonistic. Rather, they go hand in hand. A prophet of old declared that “the work of righteousness will be peace, and the work of justice, rest and security forever” (Isa 32. 17). This will be accomplished on the day of Christ’s kingdom, but already today the gospel brings peace on exactly the same principle. Romans 3 speaks of righteousness manifested, and established in the death of Christ. Rom. 4 speaks of justice imputed, or counted, to the believer; Consequently Rom. 5 opens with these words: “Having therefore been justified on the principle of faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Butjealousy and lust are the magnets by which the world attracts us. But God gives infinitely more than the world can offer: greater grace (Mat 13:11-13). It can be tasted by those who have learned meekness and humility from the Savior (Mat 11:28-30). But to experience the virtues of grace, one must first have felt one’s own miseries (Joel 2:12-13).
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
The tongue:
- Warning about speaking
Pr 17:27 He who holds back his words knows science, and he who has a calm mind is an intelligent man. Mt 5:37 Let your word be yes, yes, no, no; what is added to it comes from the evil one. Tt 2.8 a healthy, irreproachable word, so that the adversary is confused, having no trouble saying about us. Jas 3:2 We all flinch in many ways. If someone does not flinch in words, he is a perfect man, capable of holding his whole body in bridle.
- Imperfection of man
Jb 9:20 Am I righteous, my mouth will condemn me; Am I innocent, he will convict me. Ec 7:20 No, there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ph 3:12 It is not that I have already won the prize, or that I have already attained perfection; but I run, trying to grasp it, since I too have been seized by Jesus Christ. Rev 3:2 Be vigilant, and strengthen the rest that is about to die; for I have not found your works perfect before my God.
- Useless words condemned
Pr 10:19 He who speaks a lot does not fail to sin, but he who holds his lips is a prudent man. Pr 14:23 All work provides abundance, but empty words only lead to scarcity. Ez 36:3 Prophesies and says: Thus speaks the Lord, the Lord: Yes, because they have wanted on all sides to devastate and engulf you, that you may be the property of other nations, Because you have been the object of the speeches and words of the peoples; Tit 1:10 There are, in fact, especially among the circumcised, many rebellious people, vain talkers and seducers,
- The Blessings of the Spiritual Seed
Ps 126:5-6 Those who sow with tears will moisten with songs. 6 He who walks weeping, when he carries the seed, returns with joy, when he carries his sheaves. Is 32:20 Blessed are you who everywhere sow along the waters, and who leave the foot of the ox and the donkey unhindered! Lk 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some of the seed fell along the way: it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it. Gal 6:8 He who sows corruption for his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh; but he who sows for the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
From all of the above, we note that we must be moderate in the use of speech. Theywho make plans without submitting them to God’s will (Isa 56:9-12) and those who accumulate earthly goods are sometimes the same people (Luke 12:16-21). Both are alien to the life of faith. To have the future is to substitute one’s own will for that of God. It is even disbelief; it is shown that one does not believe in the Lord’s imminent return. As for wealth, it is particularly shocking to amass it “in the last days”. The hazards that threaten the fortunes of this world: bankruptcies, thefts, devaluations… are responsible for demonstrating that they are rotten riches, rusty gold and silver (Ps 52:8-11). This is why the Lord recommends, “Make purses that do not age, an inexhaustible treasure, in heaven, from which the thief does not approach, and where the moth does not destroy” (Luke 12:29-34). The abundance of material goods helps to harden the heart: Vis-à-vis God, for one then easily loses the feeling of one’s dependence and of the true needs, which are those of the soul (Rev. 3:14-18). And vis-à-vis one’s neighbor, because it is more difficult to put oneself in the place of those who lack the necessary (Pro 18.23). Peace and moderation, being treatable and merciful, should indeed mark us, but always as auxiliaries of purity, and never to compromise with evil. It is on the part of the Christian to bring about practical justice, which will produce the fruit of justice in its season. Purity must always come first, but even purity must be pursued in a spirit that is not a fighter, but a generator of peace. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “resisting the drive of passions.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.