Wisdom from above…

“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 now favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:17-18

Man, there’s a lot jammed in these 2 verses!

I occasionally see emails or social media posts asking what kind of letter the American Church would receive from the early apostles. What would Paul, Peter, and James say to us today? Would they have any advice for us in the middle of the mess we find ourselves in?

I’m sure they’d have something contextual, but haven’t they already said enough? Sure, there is no mention of elections or amendments, but there is plenty of what it means to be a follower of Jesus in a very “un-like-Jesus” culture. Could it be that they would only re-emphasize what they’ve already said?

Earlier, James told his readers, “ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (1:5). And here, he says that the wisdom the Father provides has a flavor to it. It’s not cute anecdotes, memes, or bumper sticker theology. It’s direct and no-nonsense. God’s wisdom is peace loving, gentle, and yields to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds, rejecting any games of favorites, and is authentic.

This is convicting as much as it is simple. The wisdom advertised during election season doesn’t appear to have any of these examples as worthy traits. I would even venture that much of our upside culture would say the wisdom from above is pretty pathetic and naive. Living with God’s wisdom as our standard might draw the ire of some and the attacks of others. And yet…it’s God’s wisdom.

Am I willing to submit to God’s vision of wisdom during this season? Or do these traits of God’s wisdom unsettle me?

The last thing James says is equally troubling. “Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and harvest righteousness.” It’s not enough to have God’s version of wisdom in our heads. We have to do something with it. Living inside God’s idea of wisdom will produce in us the capacity to be peacemakers. It’s hard to be a peacemaker when I’m running my mouth about candidates’ opinions and how wrong I think they are. Being a peacemaker is hard when I can only see arguments instead of people. Being a peacemaker is impossible when my own self-righteousness is more important than HIS righteousness.

What would it look like to live from his definition of wisdom for the rest of this political season? Can I be a peacemaker when so much smashing and bashing is happening around me? Can I sit at the table with those I disagree with and listen rather than promote my own self-righteousness and understanding?

Lord Jesus, in this season of so much happening—elections, wars, storms, and financial insecurity—we need your wisdom. As I ask for your wisdom, help me remember that you have a different way of doing things. Help me embrace your peace. Help me walk in gentleness. Help me yield to others, which feels the hardest of all. Father, let me see those I disagree with as fellow sons and daughters. Let me remember that Jesus died for them too. Let me be a peacemaker. And as I seek you in this wild season, I pray that you keep waking me up to the possibility of your kingdom coming. Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.