Be kind gentle reader full#

And itвЂ™s not just in the area of politics. I often see Christians (in public debates, articles, and social media posts) engage in name-calling, scorn, and outright vitriol. Please tell me how such conduct is acceptable to God. But if you join in with вЂњLetвЂ™s Go, Brandon!вЂќ jeers and insults, you are flagrantly dishonoring your President, engaging in crude vulgarity, and being hateful to your fellow human beings (not only President Biden but those who support him). You may detest most, if not all, of Joe BidenвЂ™s political philosophy or administration policies. And more importantly, there are godly and ungodly ways to do so.ДЄs an example, you may not have voted for Joe Biden. But there are healthy ways and unhealthy ways to speak truth into our culture and communities. And yes, I believe Christians must sometimes take public, vocal, and (at times) unpopular stands. Yes, I believe Christians should be active citizens in whatever country they live in.

From election disputes to civil rights, from COVID to abortion, and from LGBTQ+ issues to disputes over censorship and cancel culture, Christians are more apt these days to shout than to listen or to agitate than relate.Д¬hristians are often reactive, uninformed, quick-tempered, and quite unpleasant. This is due to lots of grievous scandals in high-profile churches, ministries, and faith-based institutions over the last several years (and, often, the mishandling of such matters) as well as (in many cases) rampant hypocrisy.ДЄs American society has become more politically polarized, Christians have contributed to that division and unrest rather than helping make things better. Unfortunately, speaking from an American context, the general evangelical вЂњcommunityвЂќ has seriously undercut its testimony. James says that people who get their wisdom and direction from God will be peacemakers who sow fruits of righteousness. We should be seen as honest, fair, and reasonable - not as being selfish or untrustworthy. Indeed, James says that if the person has wisdom вЂњfrom above,вЂќ he or she will be:Д¬hristians should be known as kind, gracious, and gentle - not bitter or combative. If they are truly wise, weвЂ™ll see certain positive qualities in their language and their lives. James is saying that those who are wise will display (or show) their wisdom through their words and conduct. The Authorized (or King James) Version is my favorite English translation, but in case the Old English is a little confusing, let me break this down in simple 21st-century language. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Be kind gentle reader full#

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. LetвЂ™s see what James has to say on this subject.

Would you characterize yourself that way? Would the people who know you describe you as reasonable, kind, gracious, and level-headed?ДЄccording to the Bible, Christians should be known by their love and they should be kind, gracious, caring, gentle, wise, and reasonable. Now answer this honestlyвЂ¦ Would you characterize most of them as reasonable and level-headed? Are they kind and gracious? Think of all the professing Christians you know.