Reaping Righteousness.
The field in front of the Manse has just been sown out with what I suspect is a crop of Rye. Actually last year’s crop has been harvested just a few weeks ago. In the six weeks before the combine rolled in, the crop was such a beautiful sight to see. In full maturity it stood majestic with long golden stalks and full heads of grain. On my morning walk I’d pass it each day, enjoying the sight. …And now the year long cycle has begun again. From an upstairs window already I can see a hint of green coming upon the dark soil. What has been sown has begun to grow, and will one day be harvested.
And it’s a harvest scene that James leaves us with as we exit chapter 3 of his book. Only not an agricultural one - it’s a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18 NIV [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
As glorious, wonderful, and pleasing to the eye is a full field of grain, far better is seeing righteousness on display. When people are in right relationship before God and right relationships with each other that is a breathtaking sight. …A right relationship before God is brought about by the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ who not only removes the sinner’s sin, but imputes the righteousness of God to their hearts.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
And a right relationship with one another is brought about as we treat our neighbour as God has treated us - with mercy, grace, love and compassion, working for justice for all. What a society that would be! And that’s the society each Christian is to work for.
What might this promise of a righteousness harvest mean for you and I. …It may mean for some reading this, becoming a Christian - entering a right relationship with God. You need to lay down a sinful life and receive the forgiveness of God offered in the gospel. Those who do will receive His gift of righteousness.
It may mean for the Christian, working for righteousness where they’re placed. And to do so they’ll need to sow seeds of peace. Perhaps you’re personally involved in a conflict of sorts. You’re at odds with someone, and you need to choose the path of peace instead of trouble. Maybe the peace action you need to pursue is to lay down your right to be heard, to feel validated, to be justified in the eyes of the person you’re in disagreement with. You may even need to turn the other cheek as Jesus urged His followers to do. Those who sow such seeds are very likely to reap the harvest of a restored, (and right), relationship
Or maybe you’re not personally in conflict with someone, but you are close to others who are. Might the harvest James want you to reap be that of right relationships in their lives. That may mean you being a mediator between those two warring parties - trying to bring about reconciliation, to bring about peace.
…So where might you need to work for that wonderful harvest? …Is it in your heart - you’re at odds with God. Perhaps in your home - strife within the family. Maybe disputes at work or a fall out in your neighbourhood. James says we’re to be peacemakers. Peace is the seed we’re to sow in the field we’re placed. Those who do will reap a harvest of righteousness. …We’ll pray
Lord you are the Prince of Peace. You make true peace possible by taking our sin from us. And you make righteousness available as a gift to those who lack it. …Lord Jesus help me work for peace today. May I take the opportunities given to me to sow seeds of peace wherever I’m placed. Help me to work for a harvest of righteousness. Amen.