But the wisdom from above is…gentle (cont.)

Read James 3:13-18

Believers are called to live out their faith doing their works in meekness of wisdom that is first towards God and then towards man.  We can only do this with the wisdom that is from above, which is from God. Keeping in mind that even though the lives we now live we live by faith in Christ, we are still to do this within the framework of the law of God, the greatest commandment and the second which is like it.  The law that Christ perfectly fulfilled for us so we who are his are under the law of liberty (James 1:25) and free to obey God (John 8:36; Galatians 5:1).  We obey him and are gentle towards him because we love him.  We love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19) and has poured out his love into our hearts by his Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5):

Passages to read and study:

• Deuteronomy 5:1-21
• Deuteronomy 6:4-9
• Matthew 22:34-40

Looking more at Christ perfectly displaying the gentleness of the wisdom of God.

Consider what he said when he revealed his mind to his disciples: 

John 4:34

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”

And how he was towards the Father and then towards his disciples as he prayed on the night before he went to the cross and glorified the Father as he laid down his life for his sheep:

Mark 14:32-42

As I was studying this passage in Mark, the passage in Hebrews came to mind that speaks of how Jesus learned obedience as the one chosen by God to be the great high priest who can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward.  He can sympathize with our every weakness because he was tempted as we are but without sin:

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Also consider the apostle Paul who, as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 11:1), was gentle among both the Thessalonians and the Corinthians:

• 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
• 2 Corinthians 1 – 2:4; then 5-11 (as he calls on them in turn to be gentle and forgive)

As we consider the work of God as he applies his wisdom to our minds and hearts, we need to remember to consider the Holy Spirit, who he is and how he works in us and for us and through us as we live out our faith in the gentleness of his wisdom:

Galatians 5:25, 26

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

The command to keep in step with the Spirit is given in the context of the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit already in the lives of believers.  Those who have been born from above, born of God, born of the Spirit (John 1:13; 3:3-8). We show the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in us by not becoming conceited, not provoking one another, not envying one another, but instead acting in gentle humility towards one another.  By our willing submission and obedience to God’s law, we are gentle towards God and towards his law and thereby towards others.  And this all by the Holy Spirit who was given by Christ to his church once and for all and who lives in those who are saved (John 14:15-17, 25, 26; Acts 1:4,5).  It is he who with all gentleness and patience teaches us and works in us the wisdom that comes from the Father through the Son. Renewing and transforming our minds and hearts and therefore our actions through the word of God (John 17:17; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Ephesians 4:30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

I find it easier to think that I could grieve my heavenly Father, and perhaps even Jesus, as my Lord and Savior, but I forget at times to think of how I may be grieving his Holy Spirit.

That I may not grieve him:

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. [Ephesians 4:31,32]

And obey the call to gentleness as the Holy Spirit works in me, as he works in all of us who are together the body of Christ: Ephesians 5:1, 21, 22, 25, 28, 29; 6:1, 4, 5, 9

As we pray that his gentle ways may be seen in us, we can remember that God in his wisdom is gentle toward us as his children. And even as we struggle to pray in any way and at any time whether for repentance, for joy in affliction, for patience, for his wisdom which we and which he stands ready to generously give to us without reproach (James 1:5) and for his grace that we would be willing to be taught by him through our own study of his word and through those our Lord has provided to teach in his church:

• Psalm 51 – David acknowledges the gentleness of God by his seeking God’s forgiveness and restoration and a willing spirit.
• Romans 8:26 – the Holy Spirit himself intercedes in prayer for us, helping us in our weakness, with groanings too deep for words.