“13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdoms gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, dont brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace- loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.”
James 3:13-18
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Can you be driven by peace? Is it possible to be directed by contentment? Those qualities might seem to lead toward complacency or if nothing else, keeping someone pretty mellow. But in reality, the heart driven by peace and contentment can be a very passionate heart. Because when we have peace, so many other barriers are knocked down. When we have peace in our hearts, we have the freedom to be dedicated without hindrance and our minds are at ease in that dedication.

When we are not at peace in Christ, we are occupied by many things, distracted and off-balance. Our hearts and minds are distracted and our joy has been robbed. We focus on things that don’t matter or shouldn’t have the sway in our minds and hearts that they have been afforded. Peace brings a quiet gentleness and only comes truly through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. There are those who claim peace, achieved through meditation, dedication and discipline, but real peace isn’t something that must be fought for and grasped after. It doesn’t require a denial of where you are and what is going on around you, you don’t have to isolate yourself from reality to achieve it. The peace of Christ exists in the hearts of those who follow Him anytime, anywhere and we don’t have lie to ourselves in order to achieve or acquire it. It is simply a gift given to those who trust and have faith in Him. It’s not a denial of life around you, but rather a deeper understanding of the bigger picture and a contentment with the One who holds us in His hands.

Jesus simply said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” And if we are trusting in Him, believing what He told us, then we will literally take His peace to heart. The attitudes of the world only serve to corrupt our hearts, but the peace and contentment of Christ in us, that brings life, passion and joy. It allows us to see what really matters, to focus beyond petty, sinful attitudes and into the work that brings life.

Again, verses 17-18: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace- loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” All these good traits come from peace, and are maintained by peace. Worry, doubt, fear and envy are all enemies of peace and reveal a heart that is deist racked by the things of the world. And when that happens, not if, but when, then we need to step back with Jesus and let His Holy Spirit guide us back into His peace through prayer and thanksgiving.

Living that life of peace is part of what attracts people to Christ as we GoLove in His Name every day. It shows people there is a different way, a better way, and it guides their hearts toward peace in Him, as well.