From Above

DEVOTION
JAMES
FROM ABOVE
James 3:13-16
13 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. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
NIV
Another mouthful of words I cannot separate or break apart for fear of not getting the whole of the truth. I am stuck on the same theme this whole chapter has been dealing with regarding being a teacher of the Word. If I am a true teacher of the Word I should be serving others rather than them serving me. I should be serving them by my good life, being an example to how they should live. Nonspiritual men do great deeds, great humanitarian works of service to their fellow men. Great deeds in the human effort are well done and I applaud them for all they do, but that is not the greatest deed for mankind. I believe it is in bringing Christ into a person’s life. I believe it is in serving my fellow believers by sharing his truths with them. I should be the light of the world, the salt of the earth and a mirror reflecting the image of Christ to all I come in contact with. If I understand the word of God correctly this is how I should be. I cannot allow myself to become like those who use the word of God for personal gain, for fame and fortune, for glory and praise from men. I know in my heart I do not desire such from men. Whenever I preach a good message from the word and men give me a ‘good job’ thumbs up comment, I feel awkward. I feel that way when others applaud the choir for a great song. Why do people feel they must do that? I suppose it is a form of encouragement and maybe I should accept it as such. I do not seek recognition from men, only from God. I am humbled because of how God uses me. I have no skills or talents for the delivery of his word by mouth of by words, yet he uses me to serve others by sharing his truths with them. I cannot think of any greater deed then to expose people to the truth, to assist them in their journey with God, to encourage them, exhort them and yes even some times correct their thinking regarding the truths of God. Is that too prideful? I know without doubt I do not envy or have selfish ambition in my heart. I do not boast about my great wisdom, but only about God. What he has done for me, in me and is doing through me. Am I alright then? I think so. I do not want to have any wisdom from the world or that which is nonspiritual, and of the devil. I only desire the wisdom from above.