James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
I am really struck by that phrase "gentleness born of wisdom" that James recommends to us. What exactly does it look like? I'm having an easier time getting into it by thinking of the things it does NOT look like. Gentleness born of wisdom is not knowing everything and telling everyone that you know it. There may be wisdom in that - you may actually know things and you may be right. But it's not gentleness. But neither is it passively sitting by. That may be gentleness, but it's more like a gentleness born of fear than a gentleness born of wisdom.
When I think of gentleness born of wisdom I think of my grandfather. He would watch me making dumb decision after dumb decision. And it was clear what he thought. But he would say something like "Things will work out in the end. You've got to learn from yourself." That kind of gentleness born of wisdom takes a lot of faith that God can clean up messes. And it's a great gift.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Sunday January 5 we will have one service as we mark Epiphany at 10 am. Education Hour will be at 9 am. Visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org for full information and respond to this email to be unsubscribed from the devotionals mailing list. Blessed Christmas!
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