James Chapter Three, Peace Makers

 

James 3:16 For where envy and self seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

 

This verse seems to carry a similar indictment to Paul’s warning about the love of money. The NKJV tells us that the love of money “is the root of all kinds of evil,” whereas the KJV doesn’t add in the italicized words “kinds of” and simply reads, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Ephesians 5:5 associates covetousness (the love of money) with idolatry, or worshiping money as one’s god. A preoccupation with wealth is evil, or as Paul words it, “the root of all evil.”

James, joining in with this contagious and injurious sin, contributes envy and self seeking. These qualities, which are never benign if present, engender confusion and invoke every evil thing (work, KJV). It is natural in our sinful state that our impure motivation to act is based on envy (always wanting something that isn’t yours) and self seeking (always seeking out your own welfare). In fact this verse proves in the negative the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. The command, given in Moses’ time and reiterated by Christ and James, asserts that we already love ourselves. God commands that we take that already abundant self-love and dole it out on our neighbors, or everyone. Contrary to modern psychology that suggests a lack of self-love is the root of man’s problems, the Bible points out that a lack of love for others and an aggravated amount of self-love is the problem in our relations with people.

 

Going back to antiquity, we see an example of these corrupting traits in the one who is the father of lies. Isaiah, speaking first to Babylon’s king seems to step past him to the governing spirit that pervades this present evil world and condemns him:

 

For you have said in your heart: I will* ascend into heaven, I will* exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will* sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will* ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will* be like the Most High, Isaiah 14:13, 14.

 

Five times, marked with asterisks, we find Lucifer (see verse 12) stating, “I will”. His will, the seat of self, intended to storm heaven, take from God, and be exalted higher than any created being so he could be adored like his Creator. Every “I will” was followed by a swelling boast of accomplishment. Satan wanted to pull himself up by his bootstraps as it were, envious of God and discontent with his lot. Which is truly, amazingly perplexing when we read:

 

You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God…you were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God…you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you, Ezekiel 28:12-15.

 

Like Isaiah, Ezekiel begins rebuking a human ruler only for his language to become far loftier, addressing something much older than the king of Tyre. What did Satan lack when he was still Lucifer? Being a covering cherub before the throne of God, it seemed that Lucifer was the summit of the angelic order, supremely beautiful, wise and perfect in his ways. But through envy’s lens he craved what his Maker possessed, and self-seeking was born. That is why it is good to recall the simple lessons of the Bible, such as, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” 1 Peter 5:5. When we, as Christians, and more so as Christian teachers, invite these things into our hearts and our studies, along with them come confusion and every evil work. “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work,” Titus 1:15, 16. The motive that inspires our ministry will purify or defile every work we do. Though others may not see, God does. And we are informed that even our finest works, done without love for God and our fellow man, are disqualified and amount in the end to nothing, 1 Corinthians 13:2, 3.

 

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. [18] Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

Anyone conducting himself in the wisdom God freely gives (James 1:5) will have these qualities about them, as opposed to “bitter envy and self seeking.” Turning back to Galatians Paul composes a similar list, which he calls the fruit of the Spirit. These are: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,” Galatians 5:22.

 

Writing to Timothy, Paul defines the parameters of electing a bishop to a position in the church. There is much taken into consideration about the potential bishop’s conduct, or fruit, when considering him. Why? Did Paul not care about the man’s doctrine? Of course he did. But if he was already being considered for the position he must have been doctrinally sound. So what did Scripture mean to this candidate? How did he apply it in his life? Was the presence of God’s indwelling Spirit manifest in him through works? Let’s look at the criteria for becoming an elder:

 

A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach (seventh on the list), not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, one who rules his own house well…not a novice…he must have a good testimony among those who are outside (the church, see 1 Corinthians 5:12, 13), 1 Timothy 3:2-4, 6, 7.

 

If we are to sow righteousness James tells us that we must be peace makers. Oxford defines “make” as “cause (something) to exist or come about; bring about.” Where there was enmity before between rebellious humanity and their Savior, we come preaching peace, and through that ministry of reconciliation peace will be made. Yet, “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts,” Zechariah 4:6. Teachers, the ministry begins with us. Christ and His message of reconciliation begin with us. The world and the church will scrutinize our mindset, attitude, prejudices, patience and lifestyle. It has been said that there are five gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and you. We need the wisdom from above to be made ready for this task. No man alone is sufficient for it. Neither is this a race for numbers, but for souls. Christ cared deeply for the lost; so should we. “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher,” Luke 6:40. God grant us the wisdom from above to be willing to yield to Your leadership, for the good of others and Your glory. May this be our goal, one and all, who desire the gift of teaching. Amen.