Live Wise, Live Well

I read James 3:13-18 from The Message a few days ago. It kind have captured my thoughts for some reflection. I have underlined those words and phrases that captured my initial attention. It reads:

Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom — it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats. Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

My question is, "How do we get along with someone we disagree with, without becoming unkind or arrogant?" Not too long ago we listened to the political parties lambasting each other. Unfortunately it doesn't end with politicians. I have sat in board meetings, church membership meetings and even a church service where Christians have verbally attacked one another over non essential issues. Even sadder, I have counseled families where parents and children have disagreed. In each of these senarios, I have observed the lack of respect all parties involved showed to one another.

James said that "you can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God." Community is an interesting word. It could be a nation, a city, a town, a neighborhood, a church, or a family. The New Living Translation reads this way in verse 18: And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.