Verse of the Day 11/18

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 21, James 3   Good morning, Are you a peacemaker?   Years ago I worked in a shop where guys would gather at breaktime.  Often there would be an argument of somekind on any number of topics.  There was one person who my boss and friend used to refer to as "coal adder".  He wouldn't start the argument, the fire, but would keep it going by adding a comment, adding fuel to keep and sometimes heighten the debate.   Today's verse comes from James chapter 3 and tells us that as Christians we are to be "peacemakers" not coal adders.   James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.  NLT There have been theologians through the Bible that have thought that the book of James should not be in the New Testament because it taught "works" and not grace, mainly from 2:24" You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."   NKJV Paul taught in Romans that we are justified by faith alone (Rom. 4:5), that the only thing that unites us to Christ is dependence on Christ.  What James is saying in James 2:24 he is speaking of a faith that does not remain alone.  True faith is not passive, it will be put into action, it will be applied in our lives in doing good works.   A good paralell passage to James 2 and 3 would be Galations chapter 5 where Paul gives us the following verses. Gal 5:6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.  NLT Gal 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.  NLT If the Holy Spirit is living and working in us there will be evidence in good deeds, which James referred to as works that he points out in today's verse is "planting seeds of peace".   Are you a peacemaker or a coal adder?   In Christ, Mike   James 3:13-4:1 Live Well, Live Wisely Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom — it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats. Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. (from THE MESSAGE:)