James 3:13-4:1 (NRSV)
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Verse 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. Verse 14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Verse 15Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. Verse 16For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. Verse 17But 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. Verse 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
Chapter 4Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you?
Devotion
People and nations boast of their accomplishments. But we see the poor standing voiceless among the rich. We see envy dividing neighbor from neighbor. We see the spirit of our people buried under disorder and wickedness of every kind.
You have promised a messiah, God. Our time cries for people’s hearts to change. We yearn for hearts that are peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. Can a messiah do so much?
Prayer
God, send us a savior who can bring peace to nations one heart at a time. Amen.