This past Sunday (Jan 31st) we covered Chapter 3 in the Book of James.
James 3 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,[b] and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,[d] this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But 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. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
The sermon wasn't quite as long as the last few and isn't too much of a time commitment so I encourage you to take a few minutes and watch the video linked below.
Highlights would include that we are not to go into a teaching position due to our egos and our desires for prestige or an exalted position, but rather, we who teach should do so out of a genuine calling to help and to educate others. I do disagree with James on the premise that I believe all of us should consider ourselves both teachers and students. All have something to offer to anyone and everyone.
We'll spend one more Sunday in James before moving on into the Lenten Season and focusing on all that is to transpire in Jerusalem.
One comment on a personal note is that Maddie informed me today that she has signed a lease for her first apartment. She'll be moving at the end of the month and it just breaks her Daddy's heart to see his little girl so grown up. She won't be far away from the house in Omaha and very close to the Gallery so we'll certainly see her often. I reminded her that when she was 5 years old she promised (she swore up and down very dramatically actually) me that she wouldn't leave me until she was 40. Somehow, she doesn't feel that the agreement was binding... she will always be my little girl even when she's old and gray.
One more passage of life comes to pass...
God's Blessings & Grace,
Roy
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please be respectful in your comments to each other and to myself as well.
Thank you and Bless you for reading and commenting.