As always, here’s my fairly literal translation of this verse:
17But
the from above wisdom is first pure, then peaceable, reasonable, agreeable,
full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, [and] without pretense.
Peace. An interesting subject. One of Jesus’ titles is “Prince
of Peace.” Prince of peace. As that
passage goes on to say, “Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end”
(Isaiah 9:6,7). Some of His last words on earth were “Peace I
leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Paul
closed II Thessalonians with: “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give
you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all” (3:17).
He is the Lord of peace and the Prince of peace, and peace
is one of the fruits of His Spirit in us (Gal 5:22). The more we cultivate the Spirit’s
presence and control, the more our lives will be characterized by peace – just as
James is saying here in 3:17 – as the “from above” wisdom more and more becomes
our wisdom, it will evidence itself
in this characteristic of “peaceableness.”
He tells us in Hebrews 12:14 to “Make every effort to live
in peace with everyone …” and Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it
depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” He wants us to be “peaceable.”
On the other hand Jesus said, “Think not
that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword”
(Matt 10:34). When John describes His return to earth, He says, “I saw Heaven
standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called
Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, … He
is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, … The armies of heaven
were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and
clean. Coming out of His
mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations …” (Rev 19:11-15).
The Prince of Peace is also a Conquering
King! The problem of course is that where sin exists there must also be war.
Sin is not just “wrong.” It is death. It is self-destruction. It robs people
and their world of the very peace He intended us to enjoy. That is precisely
why Jesus comes as a Conquering King. Sin must first be destroyed, in order for
His kingdom of peace to come about. That is why He flew into a rage and
cleansed the Temple. That is why He waged a bitter war against the Pharisees
(Matt 23). The Prince of Peace had to battle against the very people and
practices that robbed His world (our
world) of peace.
Therein explains our own struggle with this thing called
peace. I know everyone is wired differently, but over the years the Psalmist’s
words have been almost painful to me every time I read them, “Too
long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am a man of peace; but when I
speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:6,7). I don’t think it makes me any better
than anyone else, but it seems like my very soul has always been wired for
peace. That’s what I mean, “I know everyone is wired differently.” Obviously,
there are people who are apparently wired for war, and I guess there must be. Someone has to be the General
and the policeman and the prize fighter and the NFL lineman. There are fights
that must be fought and it’s a good thing if someone seems wired to make it
happen. But I am not. Of course that becomes my weakness when it is time to
fight – I’m so utterly inclined to avoid it. “I am a man of peace.”
But it seems to me that most people
actually don’t want peace. They’ll say they do, but if their life isn’t filled
with drama, they’ll do whatever it takes to create some. It seems like most
people live in a soap opera and they want to. Peace is apparently too dull and
boring. The world is that way too. If we aren’t in a war, we’re rattling swords
with someone trying to start one. Some historian apparently claimed that human
history has only enjoyed two years without war somewhere on the globe. I know,
I know, I know we are of our father the devil and the lusts of our father we
will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, the father of lies. Of course
that is why the world is the way it is, hurting and lying. But I still don’t
like it. “Too long have I lived among those who
hate peace. I am a man of
peace …” I want to go home.
Oh, well. I guess rant over. I’m so glad
real wisdom makes people “peaceable.” A fruit of the Spirit is peace and its
presence in our hearts makes us “peaceable.” For most people, that’s a good
thing and I wish there was more of it going around. For people like me who are
peaceable to a fault, it’s good to know that the Prince of Peace is also a
warrior, a man who will fight a fight when it needs to be fought. Whatever
direction we’re naturally inclined we can find the perfect balance in our
wonderful Lord Jesus. He alone is perfectly peaceable when He should be, and
just as quick to take up the sword when that is the right thing to do. No
matter how we’re inclined, the more we’re like Him, the more balanced we’ll
become.
I guess I just think the world could use a
whole lot more of people being peaceable and whole lot less of being argumentative
and testy and difficult. I long for the day when “the wolf will lie down with
the lamb … and they shall neither hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain”
(Isaiah 11:6-9).
Peace. Peaceable. Yes.
When it should be.
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