TODAY IS…

a good day to live wisely.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”  James 3:13 NIV

“Just do it!”

“Actions speak louder than words!”

“Talk is cheap!”

“Put your money where your mouth is!”

“Stop talking about it and do it!”

Not a single one of the above statements is recorded as having come from the mouth of Jesus’ brother James, but each and every one of them could have. Of all of the authors of the various parts of the Bible, James’ letter to Jewish Christians in Palestine is unique in the way that it challenges us to take action and in the way that it calls us to commit ourselves to active Christian living.

James is insistent that it is not enough to simply talk about being a Christian. It is not enough to simply think about being a Christian. It is not enough to simply believe in being a Christian. We must seek out God’s wisdom and apply it to our daily lives and use it to be a Christian.

If we look at the wisdom of God we will find that it is very active. Obtaining the wisdom requires the action of reading the Bible, meditating on the ideas and principles it contains, and praying for God to guide us and help us apply it to the way we live our lives. Once we have actively learned the lessons God wants us to learn, He wants us to demonstrate our understanding, “By deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Wisdom that is inspired by God contains no jealously, no boasting, and no selfish ambition, which are all things of this earth.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV).

When we apply God’s wisdom to the way we live, we demonstrate genuine love and concern for all of humanity. We live our lives in a selfless manner and are always aware of the need for compassion, assistance, friendship, or support of those around us.

When our lives reflect the active application of God’s wisdom to everything we say and do, we are able to reach out for others with the confident knowledge that selfless service to others is the best way to help ourselves.

Living each day applying the wisdom of God to all we do will help us to become individuals who live as Christians rather than simply say that we are Christians.

Live your life wisely each day and who you are will be obvious to all who see you.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson