There is nothing quite like dropping right in the middle of the contest of a conversation. Worse, when someone interjects, having no idea what is really being said. Families know exactly what this is like. Imagine that the kids are having an argument and a parent or other sibling interjects… ‘oops’ inevitably follows. This is why most people at least attempt to be polite with questions. A really smart person sits quietly listening to the context for a bit before entering in. In some recent past posts we have discussed the context of James’ conversation with the brethren.
Back in chapter 3, verse 18, we find ourselves in the context of behavior. Something we could all use a refresher on, is tucked in one phrase:
“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3.18)
What is the “fruit of righteousness”? To answer, let’s ask a question: When did you received God’s righteousness? Wasn’t this given to us, by God, at salvation? Yes. The verse did not say ‘the fruit of God’s righteousness in you’. On the contrary, it is indicating the fruit of His righteousness is you! Paul said so in Romans 2.4b— “knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance”. His act of peace attracted you to Him, and His act of peace brought you to salvation. God made the peace, not the other way around. The fruit of His peaceful righteousness is your salvation. Just as the fruit of my love with my wife is my children; God bore us through Jesus’ selfless act, making peace.
The Apostle John said we are born of God in 1 John 5.4. We are his children. In fact, Jesus said it is our identifying quality in Matthew 5.9— “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” We are to be helping others, guiding them to accept the peace of eternal relationship, rather than the eternal separation they are presently in. Peacemakers… not a bad title to have in the world we are living.
Did you notice what the phrase said next though? James said “it is sown in peace of them who make peace.” We should all be peace promoting peace with God and others. Our love demands it. Shouldn’t we all be peace-loving people anyways? If so, why do so many today get tore up on the smallest things? Why do they tend to derail themselves and others in their own path of peace? Spiritual growth flourishes in a climate of peace. If you want to help the cause, be a peace agent and not the reverse.
Thinking back to peace with God— The salvation of souls flourishes in a climate of spiritual peace as well. Without peace within, there is no reason to share it. We will have our bearing off and never point true north, except on occasion, by accident. Believers… peace is tantamount in the Christian life. We must live in it, demonstrate it, and enable it at all cost. If not, the consequences may be our very own children. I have witnessed more than one family that wouldn’t deal with their issues. Those families lost their kids from church and most forms of ministry eventually. Always causing sour tones will tear down the spirit of any child, teen, and adult in the family and in the congregation as a whole. If the Spirit is within, we have no justification. He is the Spirit who bears fruit within us. His fruit is: “…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5.22b-23a). Did you see it? The third one is peace. He is within and should be flowing out. Therefore, it is not that other person or circumstance… it’s on us. It is a relational issue between me and God. In someway I am quenching or blanketing His powerful ability to create this within me. Maybe i’m bitter, or jaded, or refusing to change something He is seeking to change within me. Maybe it’s all the above. In any case… there could be eternal consequences with my relationships. Some may never know my Savior because of my attitude. My own kids and grandkids could be affected, to the point they no longer want to walk with the one I claim to walk with.
Simple question today— Are you sowing the life giving Gospel?
The only way it is done properly is in peace of them who make peace. A true disciple, one worthy of following, will be one who promotes peace. They are one who’s motivation is: that people make peace with Christ in salvation, and in their walk afterwards.