Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 56th. Edition.
Dear People Who Have the Right to Be Called Children of God,
We shift gears slightly today, as James (3:13-18) talks about two kinds of wisdom. The first kind of wisdom can be called Ethereal Wisdom (vv. 13,17,18). This is wisdom that comes from above and is characterized by good conduct, meekness, purity of intention, peace, gentleness, willingness to yield (not insisting on its own way or having the last word), merciful, full of good fruits, impartial and honest (not hypocritical). This reads like the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 and Paul’s definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Someone has defined wisdom as the ability to make the right choices. At the end of the day, we are what we choose. When we are submitted to Christ, his Spirit enables us to choose what is excellent and will bring glory to his name. But there is another kind of wisdom.
Earthly Wisdom (vv. 14-16). This kind has its source in demons (v. 15) and is characterized by bitterness, envy, boastfulness, dishonesty, sensuality, selfishness, confusion, and all kinds of evil. Such reminds one of the works of the flesh Galatians 5:19-21. When we look at this passage, it ties in with the one before, about taming the tongue, and the one before that, about demonstrating faith through works. In a word, if it claims to be a turkey but it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and waddles like a duck, forget the claim, it’s a duck.
It is not enough to claim Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Our choices must demonstrate it.
Your loving Pastor Chris.