But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
(James 3:17 WEB)
What verse, James 3:17 means to me!
As I begin to ponder the first attribute “pure“, I realize my motives need to be pure. I desire to demonstrate my love, by being with God in many different ways: such as, prayer, fellowship, studying His Word, and listening and building intimacy with Him. Demonstrating my love for God is a pure motive. I feel called to write this study on “favor” in the hope that this process may help me to increase my intimacy with God. Hopefully, God will be glorified in the writing of this. Hopefully, I will grow to be more like Christ and have the discernment to prioritize my goals in alignment with My Lord and Savior’s goals for me.
I can’t be a hypocrite and say I love God and give T.V. news or other things more time than I give Him. That certainly isn’t the goal.
I pray to value future relationships with others more than having my way and yielding to others in order to maintain “peace” at all cost. If an important issue comes up that is contrary to my values, I need to go to the Lord and ask Him for wisdom and discernment on how to handle this situation. Also, being kind when others are angry.
I pray to be “gentle” finding common ground in a spirit of love; rather than, needing winning the argument.
I pray to be “merciful” towards others, realizing I have been guilty of many similar offenses at sometime in my life.
I pray “not to show partiality” by treating some people differently than others. May Jesus love them through me.
For me, to be “reasonable” means to not always need to have it my way when I’m negotiating with others.
I desire to live each day with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to reflect Jesus or His life shining out through me.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23 WEB)
If we are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit,
we will be more like our Savior.