Wisdom from above

But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace. (verses 17, 18)

Read James 3:13 – 4:12

Reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The wisdom from God is pure, peaceful, gentle, friendly and full of compassion. We need this kind of wisdom in our relationship with those around us as we live among them and minister to them. This wisdom from above comes from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.

Today you can meditate more deeply on one of the fruits of the Spirit: peace. You can have ‘peace like a river’ as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, your precious Redeemer. Through Christ’s work of redemption, God reconciled you to himself. He has given you peace in your heart with the assurance that your sins are forgiven. God enables you to be a peaceful, gentle and friendly person.

The Lord wants more peacemakers in our community and in our church fellowship. Will you be one of them?

O Holy Spirit, produce in me the blessed fruit of peace. Make me a peacemaker. Amen.

by Paul Albers, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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