2nd November 2024

2nd November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 3v17-18)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


If earthly wisdom shows itself in jealousy, selfish ambition and arrogant boasting, then the wisdom from God “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (v17). The difference is night and day! God’s wisdom is pure, innocent and blameless. It is wisdom that seeks peace in a local fellowship - this does not mean that we should seek peace at all costs. If a preacher proclaims many paths of salvation or he denies the divinity of Christ, then peace is not possible. However, in the majority of disputes and petty disagreements we should strive for peace.


Furthermore, the wisdom from above is gentle and open to reason. In other words, the wise Christian is not like a “bull in a china shop” but he or she considers others and is prepared to listen to wisdom and engage in discussion. God’s wisdom which He imparts to His children is full of mercy - it understands that God has not treated us as we deserve but instead visits us with grace. In turn we are merciful to those who wrong us and who the world believes don’t deserve our kindness.


Good fruit will abound in the wise individual - they will grow in sanctification and the fruits of the spirit will be increasingly evident. What are those fruits? “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 4v22-23). God’s wisdom also stresses impartiality - we will not seek to divide the fellowship based on money or race or prestige and God’s wisdom is entirely sincere. Sincere? Yes. It is genuine, honest, trustworthy with not one inch of deceit.


If you are wondering what a fellowship filled with God’s wisdom looks like then wonder no more. James says “a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (v18). Just as the farmer sows the seed and later reaps a good harvest, so too wise peaceable Christians sow the good seed of God’s Word. They hear and do what God says and a harvest of righteous deeds is the result.


I suspect you would not appreciate being considered the biggest fool in Ballynahinch…thankfully, you need not worry. The Gospel of Jesus has transformed us, the Lord continues to work righteous deeds in us and we are thankful recipients of the wisdom from above. May this wisdom be more and more evident in our lives and churches - for Christ’s sake and for the sake of His bride the Church. 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q25 How doth Christ execute the office of a priest? Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.
​