John Kitchen's Blog

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17-18)

Yep. Yes. I agree. Wholeheartedly. Do it. Now. Always. Give peace a chance.

But I must also ask, “How’d that work out, James?”

James set forth what true, God-given wisdom looks like. Let us receive it for what it is—the word of God.

Let’s also ask, does that wisdom work? I guess it depends on how you define the word work.

In Acts 21 the Apostle Paul arrived in Jerusalem with an offering received from Gentile believers and designated for the poor of Judea. He walked into a tinderbox that was ready to ignite into a firestorm. The Jewish-Gentile tensions were so taut they were about to snap. And Paul was at the center of it all. Paul, it was said, taught Jews outside of Judea to forsake the law of Moses (Acts 21:21). It was a falsehood but rumors run on airtime, not actuality.

In view of the times, James counseled a scheme where Paul would go to the Temple with some Jewish men who were under an oath. The apostle would join them in the Temple, pay their expenses, and join them in making sacrifice (Acts 21:23-24a). “Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law” (v.24b). Let’s give peace a chance.

Did it work? Did it produce “a harvest of righteousness . . . sown in peace”?

No. At least not like James seemed to picture it.

On the final day of James’ scheme, a riot started in the Temple over Paul. The Jews there tried to kill him (Acts 21:27-31).

None of that discounts the truthfulness of what James taught about wisdom. It does remind us, however, of something Paul had himself recently written: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18).

Make every legitimate effort to live at peace. Yes, and amen! But living at peace takes two parties. Even if you try, it doesn’t guarantee the other party will try also.

Sometimes righteousness works itself out in less than peaceful circumstances. “The God of peace” (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23) knows how to work his righteousness with or without willing parties (Psa. 75:11). May he always find us willing, even when not all in our circle of relationships are cooperative.

Twenty years after its publication, this simple book continues to make a mark on the lives of those in need of hope and encouragement. I’m delighted that now, for the first time, it is available in eBook and audio-book formats. I would be grateful if you considered it for yourself or someone else.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt [lit., “tabernacled”] among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

“God ‘pitched His tent’ among us as a man so we can hear what was previously inaudible (“The Word became flesh,” v.14a), see what was previously invisible (“We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,” v.14b), understand what was previously inexplicable (“No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known,” v.18), and experience what was previously impossible (“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ,” vv.16-17)!” (Long Story Short, p.145)

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’” (Jeremiah 6:16)

Three commands confront us right away: “Stand,” “look,” and “ask.” “Stand” means position yourself intentionally. Do it “by the roads,” where one might travel when one finds direction to the sought-out place. “Look” means search, heighten your senses, seek, and be intentional about what it is you seek after. “Ask” means don’t be passive; actively search, inquire, poke about, be willing to learn from another.

And what is it for which you search? Seek “the ancient paths.” The tried-and-true ways. The ways where those godly ones who have gone before us walked. The proven paths. Those “paths” that Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Joshua, and all their kind have shown to us. Avoid the trendy and faddish, the passing and unproven. Get basic. Get utilitarian. Not “what’s cool,” but what works.

Works for what? Where you “find rest for your souls.” “Where the good way is.” There! There! “Walk” in that “way”! This, then, is a fourth command. This is not optional if it is “rest” of soul that you truly seek.

Lord Jesus, lead me in the ancient paths, in the good way, where my soul will find rest. Simplify things. Give me one desire. Give me the tried-and-true, the proven and faithful, the enduring ways. Yes, give me yourself. For you, Lord, are “the way.” You are my true desire and rest. Give me yourself, and I shall be full. Amen.

I recently received word that my Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary was just published in the Arabic language in Egypt. I’m told that three thousand copies were printed. Currently, 70 Arabic-speaking students are using it as their textbook in their seminary course on  Proverbs. Pray with me that God will be glorified in each student and reader of the commentary–that a new fear of the Lord and knowledge of God will lay the foundation for a lifetime of walking in wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

The Song of the Satisfied Soul was first published in 2003 as a hardback. That edition is beautiful and still available here. But this summer it has been released in electronic form. You can get it for Kindle here and in other ebook formats here and here. An audio version has been recorded (with yours truly as the reader) and should soon be available as well.

Here is an article I recently contributed to the 1:9 Alliance: The Word of the Lord & The Knowledge of God.

I pray you will find it helpful.

I’m grateful to see that Logos Bible Software has just released my Colossians and Philemon for Pastors on their platform. You can access it here.

Here is an article I recently contributed to the 1:9 Alliance: The Path of Transformation.

I trust you will find it helpful.

“… Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”(Luke 8:38b-39 )

I see what you did there, Luke. Nice!