"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
intreated..." James 3:17
I love to see children smile. Have you ever been in a doctor's office, and watched a little baby looking around at everyone else and smiling? It almost appears that even the toughest exterior can melt when a baby is smiling directly at a person. It's not difficult to WANT to smile at a baby! It's not a stretch for most people to WANT to treat them with kindness...and that's the way it should be!
But what about when they encounter other adults??
Well, herein lies the challenge for some people. It's difficult to WANT to be that way with some people...except babies....
Greek word for intreated - εὐπειθής
Transliteration for that word - eupeithēs
Meaning: easily compliant, not obstinate and difficult to work with.
I've met a good number of
people who call themselves Christians who are VERY easy to get along with. They are VERY compliant when it comes to relationships. They don't take themselves too seriously, and they view life and others from a very balanced place. They recognize that we are all growing and learning, and they don't HAVE to be right all of the time...and they'e O.K. with "agreeing to disagree" in the spirit of love.
And then there are others...
I won't go into some of the
struggles, but a question is in order for each of us who call ourselves Christians. It's a serious question, and the honest answer to it can tell us volumes about how easily we are "intreated."
Are you ready? Ask yourself the following:
Would the people that I meet WANT to spend an eternity with me AFTER they have experienced a temporary encounter with me?
I well recall my own father speaking about the people in the church that we attended growing up. My dad
had left the church when I was about 5 years of age. When I was older, I asked my dad why he was no longer a part of the congregation.
Listen to his answer:
"Why would I want to spend eternity with people who argue, fight, back-stab, and gossip every time I've ever been around them? I can find that kind of person anywhere."
Admittedly, my dad had missed the real reason for going to church, but his words made my heart ache when I heard them. I had to admit
that he was fairly accurate with his assessment of many people that attended our church (including me.) I began to ask myself, "Why would dad want anything to do with my church if I'm not the kind of person that I should be?"
"Lord, save us from Your followers" should NEVER be on the lips of people that encounter us. Christians should be the most loving, kind, "easily entreated" people on planet earth, but we'll need God's help in that department. The "wisdom that is from
above" supplies it for anyone who will call upon the name of God for it.
Have a great day and God bless!
