Ancient Words For Today - 61
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:17-20
James is saying that every good and perfect gift originates from God. The most important gift is the Word of Truth by which He begat us (saved us from hell and gave to us eternal life) and set us apart for His service as we obey and follow His precepts. For those of us who have believed in Jesus Christ and put our trust in Him for our salvation, we have been made the children of God, and as such we are now God's representatives, as James termed it, a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. This is an awesome responsibility that should be taken seriously! Paul said it this way:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
As ambassadors for Christ, our life should reflect behaviors and attitudes that are Christ-like: that is, we should live righteously by embracing and following God's standards and commandments. Being ambassadors of Christ also involves sharing our faith with a joyful heart, telling others about Jesus and sharing His love and plan of salvation.
James gave three important keys that can help us to be good ambassadors for Christ:
1. Be swift to hear - be a good listener, attentively hearing the Word of God by studying Bible scriptures and listening to God's Holy Spirit as He speaks to our heart. This also entails taking a genuine interest in the needs of others, listening and asking questions for clarification so that we can determine how best to help meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
2. Be slow to speak - Proverbs 15:28 tells us that "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things." Sometimes we get angry at the things people say and do to us or to others. Before we reply or act we should carefully consider what has been said and whether perhaps there may have been good motives or intentions in the actions of others that we may not be aware of or understand. We also should pray for Godly wisdom before we answer, seeking to reconcile the matter amicably rather that adding fuel to the fire.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. Proverbs 26:20-21
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15:1
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! Proverbs 15:23
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. proverbs 25:11-12
3. Be slow to wrath - We should not be wrathful in our our thoughts or treatment of others who may have hurt us or made us angry by the things they say and do. Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven us of our many sins. Without God's grace through Jesus Christ, we would all be separated from God because of our sins. Rather, He tells us to be merciful and forgiving as our Heavenly Father is merciful and forgiving to us. By so doing we become living examples of God's mercy and grace and His unfailing love.
When these three principles are exhibited in our own life, our words become more credible and believable as we share the Gospel of God's love and salvation with others.
Dear Lord, help us remember to seek your wisdom in prayer before we engage our tongues to answer others, so that the words of our mouth will lead towards resolution of problems and reconciliation of relationships rather than making matters worse. Help us to be quick to listen and to discern the needs of others, and show us how we can help to meet those needs, demonstrating your love working through us and bringing glory to your name. Amen