But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:17–18—NKJV)

Making peace is not for wimps or “girly men.” Such individuals don’t make peace, they pine for it. Peace must be won. Peace must be guarded. Peace must be nourished. Forging real peace based on genuine truth and eternal virtues is a very adult and a very courageous occupation.

The last great ministry that John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, performed on earth was to mediate reconciliation between an offended father and an estranged son. God blessed his efforts with successful restoration between the men. While traveling home on horseback he was caught in stormy weather and succumbed to a fatal fever, possibly a stroke, and finally death. His story underscores the high regard with which brotherly love is held among men of faith. Sowing discord among brothers is something God hates (Proverbs 6:19).

James, just after dealing with people problems that come from lack of control of the tongue, is contrasting earthy, human wisdom versus God’s wisdom. Godly wisdom comports itself clothed in “meekness of wisdom” (verse 13). Real wisdom is to apply real knowledge to real life. Strive to be skilled in the art of living virtuously. Meekness must not be confused with weakness, but rather it is power under control. Meekness is exerting biblically measured, effective force for God’s ends. This bedrock quality is found in those who make peace.

Verse 14 spells out “virtues” of the earthly-wise: bitter envy and self-seeking. These qualities militate against making peace. “Bitter envy” combines the thought of brackish water (bitter, rancid, fetid) with zealous, harsh jealousy—pretty ugly! “Self-seeking” has a root idea of labor for hire, a politician looking for the votes of others but with only the desire to achieve his own agenda at any cost and over the interests of others—steer clear of such a character!

Verse 15 plainly impugns all such motives and behaviors as boiling up from the baser things in this world (earthly, sensual—animalistic and demonic) rather than flowing down from the Father in Heaven. Verse 16 rightly asserts that the upshot of jealousies and self-devotion is nothing short of confusion (tumultuous anarchy) and finds comfortable association with every evil vice among men.

The “maker of peace” takes his cue from the Lord Jesus Christ for virtues that only can come from above. The peace-maker must seek to fulfill his responsibilities rather than exert his personal rights. Verse 17 clearly defines justice and fairness in their practical outworking. Just as believers must “speak the truth in love,” so the first consideration is to be pure, followed quickly by peaceable (peace loving and promoting), gentle, willing to yield (accessible and teachable), full of mercy (ready to forgive and extend a helping hand), without partiality (uncertainty, division of mind, unwavering or doubting), and without hypocrisy (being genuine and authentic). This is precisely how Jesus treats His own, and every believer is bound to extend the same courtesy to his fellow believers.

Each righteous act of yours is sowing seed that produces fruit—the fruit of peace. Where are you to be bravely sowing righteousness in order to harvest peace? There is no other way to real peace. Trust and obey.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:9–11—NKJV)

Being brothers is generally the quality of having at least one parent in common. The application of this definition in the Christian context reminds us that through the blood of Jesus Christ every believer is bought out of the family of Satan and is placed into the family of God, children of one parent. The simple association brought about by having one parent in common opens up an incredible world of possibilities for those who find themselves blessed with such a relative, either physically or spiritually.

While having one parent in common certainly does not guarantee unanimity, it is also true that the fact of having one parent in common is a solid foundation upon which to build. Being a brother, if handled with integrity, unselfishly, and with healthy purpose, fosters what is known as “brotherhood.” Brotherhood is the state or quality of being a brother, a bond; it is an association of men united in a common interest, work, or creed; friendly, kind, loyal. From a starting point of one simple identity held in common—a complex, durable, stable, powerful, mutually edifying, sanctified relationship is built with sturdy hands, trusting hearts, and clear eyes.

Now, if Paul had used the term “sisterly love” how would the meaning have changed? Perhaps not much provided you do not lose the virtues of association by working shoulder to shoulder, enduring the same testings, weaving the thread of loyalty to each other in both warp and woof of the relationship, and having such quality to the relationship that enduring periods of absence from each other causes no diminishing of luster. The band of brotherhood ceases to exist where competition, offended feelings, deception, suspicion, and disloyalty are tolerated.

Brotherhood must not be taken for granted as Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 17:19 and 24, “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle,” and “a man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Solomon also states in 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Missteps in brotherly relations will take place (Matthew 18:7). Paul reflects on this problem in Galatians 6:1–9, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass (false step, single action of a fail and slip), you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ…. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” James likewise teaches us that upon the occasion of a misstepping offense, we need to confess to the brother we have wronged (5:16), “Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

With such a lofty code of conduct, is it any wonder that Paul has such harsh words for the Corinthians when one believer was suing another believer? 1 Corinthians 6:1–11 reads, in part, “it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do not rather accept wrong? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!” In 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 Paul states, “Concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” Hebrews 13:1 commands, “Let brotherly love continue.”

Are you sure you have been placed into the family of God through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for your sins? Are you living as a good brother should, making the band of brotherhood in Christ possible? Trust and obey.

The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 9:9–10—NKJV)

When I think of a refuge, I often think of a strong, imposing fortress with thick walls and high turrets, situated on top of a craggy hilltop. The reality is that there are many kinds of refuges. Refuge from the daily unknowns can be found in casual conversation with lifelong friends or a good book. Refuge from the workaday world can be found in a familiar vacation spot. Refuge from deadlines and pressure can be found in a relaxing hobby. Most importantly for the believer, refuge from the assaults of the enemy is found in the pursuit of deep friendship with God.

Finding refuge is not finding escape. In every illustration mentioned above, refuge is asylum—a period of peace, joy, fulfillment, remembering your identity and what matters. For the saint of God, refuge in God means all these and much more.

Finding refuge in God is a far cry from a call to a monastic life. Rather, it is a needed respite for a life engaged in reaching out to the world for the sake of the Gospel. Reading the words of David in chapter 9, it quickly becomes apparent that he was engaging the enemy while depending on receiving the strength from God to do battle. He knows that any victory must ultimately be granted by the Lord. Such a profound sense of dependency naturally drives him to find refuge in God. So it must be with us.

Though the enemy and the conflict will be great, David is constantly driven back to the point that God uniquely holds the power of judgment. Verse 4 states that God judges in righteousness, and verse 8 reiterates that fact. Verse 16 teaches that the Lord reveals Himself by the judgment He executes. Finally, verse 19 declares that all power resides with God, for the nations will be judged in His sight. Since God is righteous and upholds the interest of the upright within His sight, it makes plain sense that believers must learn the significance and the way of refuge found in Him.

The two verses quoted at the head of this page end with the comforting words that the Lord has “not forsaken those who seek” Him. Seeking Him is the way of refuge. The very force of who God is displays the quality of the refuge found in Him. God is faithful (verse 4), is powerful (5), is enduring (7), is righteous (8), is Savior (9), and is mercy (10). These attributes are available to the saint when he pursues the way of refuge, seeking out his Lord to find respite, mercy, and renewal to soldier on.

The secrets of seeking out refuge in God are unfolded in the first two verses of the psalm. “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart” (giving whole-hearted praise with no deceit). “I will tell of all Your marvelous wonders” (testifying of God among your friends and before your enemies). “I will be glad and rejoice in You” (making your highest aim to know God). “I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High” (fashioning your life as a monument to the renown of God).

In this way the Lord is our refuge, our “secure height,” our refuge in times of trouble. The key is knowing the Name of the Lord, who He is and what He does, and acting in partnership with Him. To those who pursue and seek after Him, the words of promise are given that He will never forsake them (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5).

First, are you even living in such a way that you need the refuge found in God? Second, are you growing in appreciation for the refuge you are finding in God alone? Trust and obey.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31—NKJV)

Isaiah chapter 40 is one of my personal favorite chapters in the Scriptures. The entire chapter is designed to bring comfort to God’s distressed people. Isaiah proclaims God’s purpose to redeem (1–11), God’s power to deliver (12–26), and God’s promise to sustain (27–31). This knowledge about God is powerful for every distressed believer. The chapter points out that there is no real strength of men, no wisdom that God lacks, no nation of might, no supposed god of man, and no true rival of the God of Israel that a believer needs to fear. The Sovereign God of the Bible is entirely unique since He is the only God that is!

The prophet then asks the faithful strugglers why they presume to say that God cannot see the thorny way over which they must travel or that God is unjust toward them (verse 27). There is not a generation of believers finding itself in the thick of the “Slough of Despond,” which has not entertained the notion that God has forgotten them. It is to this feeble, fretful, fearful, yet faithful band of brothers that Isaiah speaks his words of comfort and promise.

He begins his instruction focused on the Dynamo that God is (verse 28). He is everlasting, He is Jehovah, He is the Creator of the very farthest reaches of the earth. His very nature is one which never tires or grows weary through overexertion. His energies are applied with perfect wisdom! None of us has the slightest idea of how significant this nature of God is. We grow weary and, over time, wear out. Our lives are full of beginnings and endings. For far too much of our spiritual lives, we think only in those terms. We are like a machine which must be recharged to work. Without regular maintenance, we outlive our usefulness. We need sustaining power and divine maintenance.

Verse 29 teaches that God is the One who gives power to the weary and to those with no might He increases strength. As believers grow weary in the running of life, He stands ready to come to their aid and to give them their second wind, empower them to endure, and strengthen them to “pour on the coal.”

Lest one beleaguered believer should say he can go it alone, Isaiah gently reminds us all of the reality of fallen human existence—even the strongest among us grows weary and stumbles to the dust (verse 30). “Youths” and “young men” are Hebrew terms used in Scripture to describe the “mighty men” of Israel. No man has an inexhaustible reservoir of strength, stamina, and indefatigable good attitude. The same is true in the spiritual realm.

Isaiah then teaches the mechanism by which God applies His strength to weary believers. The key is to wait, trust, hope, and patiently long for the Lord Jehovah. Isaiah 30:15 enlighteningly reads, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” This quiet confidence in God is matched by God with “renewing” strength. The thought is that God exchanges strength for your confidence. In this strength the believer finds he gains wings for flying (the Hebrew word picture here is of an eaglet whose wings become endowed with feathers fit for flying). The beleaguered believer gains strength to run the distance—laboring on in useful toil for God—and will march on without fainting! Micah 4:5 states, “For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the Name of the Lord our God forever and ever.”

Do you depend upon yourself to persevere in righteousness? Do you live like you depend largely upon your own resources? Or, do you practice the habit of expectant waiting and quiet confidence in the Lord God alone, especially in the tough times? Trust and obey.

He who testifies these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20—NKJV)

The imminency of our Lord’s return is a precious doctrine that has been fondly embraced by each generation of Christians throughout the church age. Imminence is defined as likely to happen without delay, impending, or threatening, as its Latin root means to “project over and overhang.” Of course, the unsaved world tends to guffaw and lampoon the idea of the imminence of Christ’s return (“repent, the end is near”). Their short-sightedness and small-mindedness was foretold by Peter in 2 Peter 3:3–4: “scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’” Peter clearly explains the apparent delinquency of our Lord’s return in verses 8–9, “But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Two thousand years after the last promise of the imminent return was uttered, we 21st-century Christians appear to fall into the same mindset as the scoffers, and tend to display laziness in our Christian experience compared to the intense obedience and testimony of our forebears in faith. We tend to downplay the immediate applicability of the imminency of Christ’s promised return, though the Scriptures place a keen emphasis on the reality of it. Notice that our text records the last thing God would have us to hear from Him at the end of the canon of Scripture. How are we to rightly handle this great doctrine?

It is first wise to investigate the word “quickly.” It translates the Greek word tachu, meaning “swift, quick.” The word has a sense to it that is illustrated in Mark 9:39 where it is translated “lightly” in the KJV: “But Jesus said, ‘Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My Name, that can lightly (“soon afterward”—NKJV) speak evil of me.’” Mark used the word with the sense of alacrity, flippancy, and ease of complete reversal as opposed to ponderous, lethargic, and indecisive indifference. Imminence means that His return will be speedy and energetic, lightning fast! The storm has been rising for these two thousand years, the clouds of His return for His church are heavy in the sky, the atmosphere is alive with the anticipation of the impending flash, and its thunder will be felt over the whole earth!

Another thought for current day believers to digest is that Israel has been waiting their portion of the promise of the return of the Lord at His Second Coming for longer than the church has been waiting for the Rapture. Isaiah 40:10 states, “Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.” (Also seen in Isaiah 62:11) The difference for church age saints is that there is no other prophetic item to be fulfilled before the Lord will so come in the clouds as the disciples saw Him go! His return is indeed imminent.

The book of Revelation is peppered with reminders of the impending, speedy, lightning-like appearance of Christ. It begins with three promises and ends with three. To three of the local churches the imminent appearing of Christ is presented as either a healthy warning or a comforting promise to encourage enduring obedience (just as our parents gave us when they went out for a while with a promise of soon return). Verse 16:15 states, “Behold I am coming quickly, blessed is he who watches…;” 22:7 reads, “Behold I am coming quickly, blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book;” and 22:12 records, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” The last words from our Lord to us until we see Him are “Surely, I am coming quickly.” John gives voice to the echo that ought to be in all believers’ hearts, “Amen (so be it). Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Our desires function best when we reflect the heart of God. Christ is coming, His return will be quick—lightning fast. Live in readiness. Trust and obey.