James 3:13-18 NRSV
Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
We beseech you, O Lord, to purify our consciences by your daily visitation; that when your Son our Lord comes, he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself. (The Gelasian Sacramentary)
What is the good life that God is providing?
What is the good life He seeks to impart?
How can I know that I live in God’s favor?
How can I know that I’m close to His heart?
If in my life I am faithful and gentle.
If I show wisdom without any guile.
If I decry any selfish ambition.
If I am truthful and live not by lies.
Then I shall know I am living by wisdom,
When I shun wickedness of every kind.
Peaceable, gentle, merciful, good;
Those are the fruits I want Jesus to find.
Lord, work in me a great harvest of righteousness!
Lord, work in me a great harvest of peace!
Lord, keep from me prideful thoughts about others,
But rather may love be what others see!
Breathe on Me, Breath of God
https://youtu.be/S140Ew5PhI8?si=vM3vPKjvtXd_0h-X
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
Pursue Wisdom
The wise life is the good life
Rusty Rabon
Rusty Rabon has served in vocational Christian ministry in local churches since 1981. He also served as a Christian radio announcer for 15 years. He married his wife Terri in 1978 and they have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. You can find books by Rusty Rabon here.
Rusty also hosts a book reading program called READING GREAT BOOKS on his Facebook page. You can follow Rusty at www.rustyrabon.com, on Facebook and on Twitter.