March 4 Daily Devotional

Scripture for Day 63—James 3:14–18

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Devotional:

This great "harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." Notice how firmly God stresses Christian relationships! When he unites you to Jesus Christ, he at the same time unites you to his redeemed children who are also united to Christ. How important to God the communion of saints is! How important to your spiritual well-being godly Christian fellowship is!

One of the saddest things in a local church is when walls divide its members—even worse, when members gossip about each other, bicker with each other. That's a sure sign of the influence that is from below—from the world, the flesh, the devil! I'm fully persuaded that one of Satan's chief strategies is "divide and conquer" and that he uses it relentlessly to turn God's redeemed children against one another.

But one of the most beautiful things in a local church is when those who make peace sow in peace. Do you seek to "make peace" in your church? In the broader body of Christ? God blesses such labors with a great harvest of righteousness.

Click here for background on the author of Are You For Real?: Meditations in the Epistle of James for Secret or Family Worship.