Living Out Our Faith Skillfully - James 3:18
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Introduction
Introduction
We have finally arrived at the last verse of chapter 3 which is verse 18. Last week, we finished up verse 17. And, tonight, we end the chapter. When we come back from our Easter break, we will do an overview of this second paragraph and then the following Sunday evening we do a complete review of the entire chapter. So, let’s get right to it by reading the entire paragraph.
13 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. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 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. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Our verse is, as we already know, verse 18.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
GRAMMAR STUDY
GRAMMAR STUDY
Okay, so let’s break this verse down grammatical before we get to spiritual application.
There are two verbs in this short verse. They are verbs “is sown” and “of them that make.” Both are very easy to understand. There is nothing different about how these words are used in both English and Greek. The verb “is sown” simply means to sow seed. Sowing seed always has the intent of reaping a harvest. The other verb is “of them that make” which plainly means to do or make something.
As for nouns, there are three nouns. They are “fruit,” “righteousness,” and “peace.” The word “peace” is used twice.
“Fruit” is that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism. It seems I have used this illustration much lately but it continues to apply. Apple trees are fundamentally apple bearing trees. Thus, their inherent energy is used to produce apples. Metaphorically, in Scripture, it is the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly, the character of the fruit being evidence of the character of the power producing it. Fruit is always the by product of some intrinsic power from within. We will talk further about this when we get to the spiritual application.
“Righteousness” is the character or quality of being right or just. Here is an interesting fact. In the English, this word was originally translated “rightwiseness.” Perhaps it should have never changed because it adequately relates the meaning of this word. Again, we will explore this word in more detail during our spiritual application.
The third noun is “peace.” We have given the definition of this word in our study of verse 17. “Peace” is what comes or results from a harmonious relationship. Some have further defined it as a state of well-being and concord.
There are no adverbs or adjectives contained in this verse. Additionally, there is only one conjunction which begins the verse. It is the word “AND.”
Now, looking at this verse further we can determine our subject. We can do this with a little rearrangement of words. For example, this verse starts with “the fruit of righteousness.” We can also say without changing the meaning “righteous fruit.” Thus, “righteous fruit” is our subject. Where then is “righteous fruit” sown? It is sown “in peace of them that make peace.” In other words, righteous fruit is an inherent product of those who make peace because they themselves have experienced peace.
Okay, before we go any further, let’s get to our spiritual application of this verse.
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION
What is the Holy Spirit talking about in verse 18?
What is the Holy Spirit talking about in verse 18?
He is talking about “righteous fruit.”
What is the Holy Spirit saying about “righteous fruit?”
What is the Holy Spirit saying about “righteous fruit?”
That is a great question and we will spend the rest of our time answering it.
Let’s begin with our subject.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
UNDERSTANDING RIGHTEOUS FRUIT
UNDERSTANDING RIGHTEOUS FRUIT
Remember we can also say “righteous fruit.” The prepositional phrase here is used as an adjective modifying the word fruit. It tells us what kind of fruit. It is “fruit of righteousness” or “righteous fruit.”
A deeper study of “righteousness” in Scripture reveals it is an attribute of God.
5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
Essentially, in the context of this verse, God’s righteousness means He is faithfully true. Everything He says and does is consistent with His nature as well as His promises. He is completely right and just, thus, He is righteous.
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
These verses speak to how God demonstrated His righteousness to men. He did so through Christ’s death. In doing so, God exhibited before me that He was neither indifferent to sin nor did He regard it lightly. On the contrary, all that He did by allowing His Son to die for us demonstrates the quality of holiness in Him. A quality of holiness and righteousness that must find expression in His condemnation of sin. Thus, as a righteous and just God, He not only condemned sin, but also made a way for our remission of sins. He is truly a righteous God.
Outside of God, no other being is inherently righteous. We, as sinful humans, are born inherently sinful.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
As we go back to our text, we find the Holy Spirit talking about “righteous fruit.” Fruit, as we know, is the product of inherent energy. It is often used metaphorically by God to denote visible expressions of power working inwardly and invisibly. The fruit of sinful men is sinful deeds. Men are inherently sinful thus they sin. This point is the essence of Romans 3. Thus, men cannot produce righteous fruit until they are made righteous. The only person Who can make a person righteous is the God of righteousness. The avenue of righteousness is the Lord Jesus Christ. He became a propitiation for us as we discovered in this morning’s message. In other words, God Himself took it upon Himself to do what was necessary for remission of man’s sin. God did it all. We did nothing. That is why is we talk so much about God’s grace.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Furthermore, when a person accepts by faith all that Christ did for them, they are given the Holy Spirit. Now, because of God’s wonderful salvation, our spiritual resurrection, and the power of God’s Spirit residing in us, we can produce spiritual fruit. Fruit such as mentioned in:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Take note to the fact that peace is one of the fruits listed here. Now, go back to our verse.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
UNDERSTANDING THE INHERENT POWER to PRODUCE “RIGHTEOUS FRUIT.”
UNDERSTANDING THE INHERENT POWER to PRODUCE “RIGHTEOUS FRUIT.”
Now that we understand “righteous fruit” we can proceed further with our study. Note now that “righteous fruit is sown.” In other words, it is planted. Again, we go back to the fact that each of us is born inherently sinful. Remember the words of Romans 3:10 and Romans 3:23. Thus, in and of ourselves, we cannot produce anything that remotely close to righteousness. However, we know that when we accept Christ as our personal Savior, He changes us.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Now, this spiritual transformation results in our ability to produce “righteous fruit.” We now have within us the power to live “righteously” each day. It was something we did not possess before salvation. But, praise God, now we can. Christ quickened us (made us alive), changed us (made us righteous), and enabled us (gave us His Spirit) so that we might live each producing “fruit of righteousness.” He sowed (planted) within us the ability to do so. If then we produce any “righteous fruit” is because He is doing within us. The very fact that you, as believers, are sitting here on a Sunday night listening to me preach and teach God’s Word is a visible expression of a greater power inwardly and invisibly working in you. It is the power of the Holy Spirit.
UNDERSTANDING PEACEMAKING
UNDERSTANDING PEACEMAKING
Now back to our verse once again.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
As believers, we are able to produce righteous fruit because of all that Christ had done for us. We are able also to be peacemakers as well.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Remember the word “peace” is a product of harmonious relationship. Our relationship with God before salvation was anything but harmonious.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Again, these verses describe the condition of lost men. They live according to their flesh. They are dead spiritually. Note the word “enmity.” In the Greek, this word comes from the Greek word translated “enemy.” It denoted hated or hateful and even hostile. Our relationship with God before salvation was filled with hate. We were hostile towards Him. Any relationship based on hostility and hate is not a harmonious relationship. However, the God of peace created an avenue for us to be at peace with Him.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
For this reason, we, as believes, are now at peace with God. We are no longer living a life fulled with hate and hostility towards Him. Again, it is all because of what He has done for us. We are now His children and we are to be peacemakers as well.
How are we to be peacemakers?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
We are peacemakers preaching the gospel of peace having experience peace with God.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
We are peacemakers by following after the things which make peace such as loving one another, forgiving one another, and edifying one another.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Let’s wrap this up by restating what we learned. First, only righteous people can produce righteous fruit. We can only be righteous when we accept all that the God of righteousness did for us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. When we do, we can produce righteous fruit because of His Spirit residing in us. This point leads us to the second thing we learned. God has planted within each believer the ability to produce righteous fruit. One of those fruits is peace. We, as believers, experienced peace with God at the time of our salvation. Now, God expects us to be peacemakers as well. We make peace by sharing the gospel of peace with others and by following after the things which make peace.
Now, let me finish by briefly connecting this with the context of the paragraph and chapter. We started this chapter indicating the person who desire to teach must be careful about that desire. We ended this chapter with a warning about what wisdom is used for teaching. The Holy Spirit gave us a clear contrast between man’s wisdom and God’s wisdom. Part of that contrast pointed out that man’s wisdom does nothing but cause “bitter envying and strife.” However, God’s wisdom is “first pure, then peaceable.” Thus, each believer and, especially each Bible teacher must exhibit righteous fruit. Doing so is a visible expression of the Holy Spirit’s control of their life. They will be people who recognize the greatest need for others is peace with God. And, as such, they will work and teach so they might lead them to be at peace with the God of peace who made peace through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.