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. (James 3:17-18)

This week my New Testament reading is the book of James. The writing is famous for its insistent repetition of the idea that faith in God is authenticated by the evidence of corollary actions/works/good deeds.

In other words, according to the Book of James, the way we live tells the truth about the way we believe.

In other words, according to the Book of James, the way we live tells the truth about the way we believe.

It should make for a great discussion in our “Everyday Christianity” class this morning.

Martin Luther, the father of the Reformation, the man who turned the attention of Christianity back to salvation through Jesus, didn’t like James at all. He felt that James undermined the work of grace, and he wanted it removed from the Bible. The irony of Luther’s position is that – other than the four Gospels – the book of James quotes Jesus far more than any other New Testament document.

JESUS WAS ALL ABOUT DOING: And that resonates with me, because Jesus was consistently clear regarding what it took to be his kind of disciple. With Jesus it was always, “Don’t tell me, show me.” “Show me how you love one another.” “Show me how you follow my teachings.” “Pick up your cross.” “Follow me.” “Wash some feet.”

I love the tone the message from James takes right at the end of the third chapter. Because, yes, James might be all action, but the action is faith-generated, and it’s action centered around the principles of peace.

• 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.

Righteousness. Did you know that in the Hebrew language both justice and righteousness are built around the same root word? That’s right, justice. You want peace? Work for justice. Justice that is gentle; peace that is yielding; justice that is full of mercy and good fruits. Justice without a trace of partiality. Peace without hypocrisy.

Justice sown in peace. A harvest of righteousness and justice.

Peace. Justice. Good works. That’s the Gospel of Love – DEREK