But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:17&18 (ESV)
Imagine our world is a huge farm with a multitude of fertile fields. Imagine you and I have been assigned our very own fields to cultivate. Imagine when the growing season rolls around, we commit to work around the clock if necessary to prepare our ground for the best possible crop. Imagine we select only the most robust highest-yielding seeds to sow.
Imagine our seeds are in reality potential deeds of righteousness—guaranteed to yield an abundant crop overflowing with goodness, decency, integrity, morality, justice, honesty, and nobility. Imagine our crops growing to fruition so profusely and abundantly that everyone around us acknowledges that this unusual phenomenon is not of this world. Imagine silos bursting at the seams with beauty and peace and wholeness and blessing that reaches to the skies—to the very heavens. Is it only a dream or is it possible that this is the way things ought to be?
When God’s values are lived out through us, we display a kind of divine wisdom—wisdom not of this world—but from a source above. Believers endowed this way are not inclined to strife or dissension. They are not argumentative or hostile—making it possible for them to sow an abundant crop of righteousness.
What kind of crop is this? It is:
- PURE—chaste; spotless and stainless; not tainted by gratification of the senses or appetites.
- PEACEABLE—moderate; docile and harmonious; not unstable and uncertain.
- GENTLE—kind; tender and well-mannered; not conceited or self-important.
- OPEN TO REASON—considerate; cooperative and adaptable; not obstinate and willful.
- FULL OF MERCY—empathetic; compassionate toward suffering; not inflicting injury or harm.
- IMPARTIAL—unbiased; free from doubt; not prejudiced or showing favoritism.
- SINCERE—unpretentious; heartfelt and genuine; not hypocritical or feigned.
We may not be able to control the responses of our world to divine wisdom, but we can determine our own individual righteous behavior—and reap a bountiful harvest sown in peace for the glory of God. Lord, work through me. Use my influence to show the world the way things ought to be. Make me an instrument of Your peace.