I JOHN 3:16

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."  (NIV)

Unselfish acts seem to be the opposite of what the world teaches us from birth.  We spend our infant years
literally crying for attention. And we quickly learn that the more we demand, the more attention we receive.  (That attention is not necessarily always good attention;  unfortunately our prisons are proof of the fact that many people never get past the infancy stage...)





As we grow older we are bombarded with advertisements, slogans, songs, and pictures - all advising us to "look out for number one". And, this is the way of the world... But then there is Jesus' way.  Sharing. Caring. Seeing another's needs and not turning away. Truly trying to help those in need.  This is what Jesus taught by example; and, this is what He wants us to do.

Jesus had a brother, James. (James was actually Jesus' half-brother;  they had the same mother - Mary; but, James was the son of Joseph the carpenter, while Jesus was the incarnate Son of God.)  But I digress... James wrote the book of James. James is quite outspoken about many things...controlling one's tongue certainly comes to mind when one thinks about James' writings.  Another of James' discourses, simply put, means that actions speak louder than words.  And, if you claim to be Christian, then you should be trying to be Christ-like.  And, if you are Christ-like, you will not be selfish:
     "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, 'Go,  I wish you well; keep warm and well fed.'  but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."  (James 2:14-17  NIV)

The passage following todays's  "3:16"   continues to describe the selfless attitude and actions of a true believer:      "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with action and in truth."                                  (I John3:17, 18)

If you are reading this and think you have nothing to give, you are wrong!  You might give money. Or you might give of your time to a good cause.  Or you might lend an ear to a lonely person.  Many people are out there, crying for attention, spiritual infants in a dead and dying world.

JAMES 3:16

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every practice." (NIV)


James, half-brother of Jesus, wrote this letter to his fellow believers, who were scattered in many areas and were having difficulties knowing what was the real truth.  (Sound familiar?) Like Jesus, James didn't mince words, Although frankness is often hard to hear at first, it is always better than half-truths, which leave the listener confused.

I hate confusion and disorder.  Apparently God doesn't care for these qualities, either!  Two of my favorite scriptures on this topic are found in Paul's writings to the Corinthians.  Years ago I wrote these scriptures in calligraphy as a reminder of the beauty of order and cleanliness... and, the resulting serenity:

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace."  (I Corinthians 14:33) KJV

"Let all things be done decently and in order."  (I Corinthians 14:40)  KJV

The cause of confusion and disorder is Satan.  I think Satan really enjoys seeing us befuddled, confounded, in turmoil.  But, we can't blame it all on ol' Satan;  no, we'd better be looking inward...  You see, this "3:16" begins with the phrase, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition..."  Uh, oh!  If my life is filled with disorder and confusion, I need to look at my attitudes and actions toward others.  Am I envious of others' talents or physical attributes or situations?  Even in the church setting, am I secretly hoping that someone will consider me the best Sunday School teacher?  The best choir member?  The best____________ (you fill in the blank). Do I want to serve God, or do I want to please people?  These are difficult questions; the type of questions the Holy Spirit wants us to ask ourselves.

The opposite of confusion is peace.  James writes about peace in the next verse, James 3:17, as below:
     "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere."

And, an Old Testament scripture about peace:  " You will  keep perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You."  (Isaiah 26:3)

Let peace be the pillow that you rest your head on.