James 3:13 … Works done with Gentleness (05/18/17)
“Show by your good life that your works are done
with gentleness born of Wisdom.” ~ James (James 3:13)
First & foremost, realize that the writings of James – at least according to Jesus Christ – should take precedence over the beliefs & expositions of all the other disciples (“And the disciples said to Jesus, ‘We are aware that you will depart from us. So who will be our leader [once you are gone]?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘No matter where you come it is to James the Just that you shall go, for whose sake heaven and earth have come to exist.’” ~ Gospel of Thomas 12) … And note as well that the teachings of James should especially take precedence over the competing theological delusions of the self-appointed “apostle” Paul (who Jesus clearly forewarned us all not to follow – see Matthew 15:13-14, Mark 7:6-8 & Luke 12:1 vs Acts 23:6, Acts 26:5, Galatians 1:14 & Philippians 3:4-5 … see John 5:43 vs Acts 13:9 … see Matthew 24:26 vs Acts 9 & Galatians 1:11-12 .. and see 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 in conjunction with 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Romans 1:1 & 1 Corinthians 3:19 et al).
Indeed, the entire Way of Christ is predicated not on mere mental thought or emotional belief or verbal worship, but rather upon radical, selfless, Caring actions. Jesus’ teachings say so (see Matthew 5:3 – Matthew 7:27, especially Matthew 7:21-24 et al) … Jesus’ parables essentially say so (see Matthew 13, especially Matthew 13:18-23) … and even Jesus’ actions consistently said so (see Matthew 9:36, Luke 17:11-19 & John 8:1-11 et al).
Finally, note that it is not mere “good works” that qualify, but rather “gentle” (humbly Kind – see Matthew 18:3-4) deeds “born of Wisdom” (the Greek “sophias,” a word that meant “Divine Intelligence” – or LOVE; see Matthew 5:48 et al) that do so.
Amen … Let it be so.
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