james

There’s an old legend that says that before James was killed by Herod, the man who accused him was so impressed by James that he proclaimed himself a Christian, and they were both martyred together. As they stepped up to the sword, James blessed him and said, ‘peace be with you’.

I don’t know whether it’s true, but it’s a great thought: James, a ‘son of thunder’ who once asked Jesus to call fire down from heaven on a village, and who had jostled with his brother for places either side of Jesus, finally learned that we share the gospel best through peace and forgiveness rather than force, through submission not position. How a life can change!

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” - Colossians 3:13

Why not ask yourself whether there’s anyone out there you need to forgive or make peace with. Even when we want Him to, Jesus isn’t in the habit of zapping our enemies with lightning. Thankfully!

I think James, ‘son of thunder’ would have learned that, and would surely have seen God’s heart for peace towards those who accuse us, reject us and hurt us. After all, we’ve done all those things too. Forgiveness is always the best way.