James 1:1-18
Tuesday, 25 May 2021
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” -James 1:17
The Book of James is a treatise on how faith works! James speaks of the testing of faith in the first chapter. Genuine faith will prove its worth when tested. A person who puts his faith in God completely, trusts Him when he prays in faith to receive an answer from Him (vs.6). When faith is put to test, it produces endurance and builds Christian character (vs.2,3). The one who perseveres under trial, finally receives the crown of life (vs.12).
James talks of the perfect work of trial that helps a believer to be perfect and complete lacking nothing (vs.4). But he also contrasts what sin can do in a person (vs.14,15). When a person is tempted by desires, sin conceives, grows fully until it gives birth to death. The perfect work of sin is finally death! But the one who resists temptation and endures will receive the crown of life from the Lord!
Coming to the key verse- God is the Perfect Giver and whatever good and perfect gifts we have received in our lives- we owe it to Him! Would you pause a minute to give Him thanks for some of those good gifts He has blessed your life with? The most perfect gift He has given us is the gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ!- available to all who would receive Him into their lives. Compared to the perfect wage of sin, which is death, we receive the perfect gift of God which is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23). “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2Cor.9:15)
The next part of the verse enumerates a few qualities of God- He is the Father of lights; He does not change like shifting shadows (NIV). God’s constancy is very encouraging for a Christian living in a world where change is constant!!! The events that have been happening around us give no ground for an ordinary individual to put hope on anything. But for one who has put His trust in the UNCHANGING GOD, he can rest assured that his life is God’s hands; surrendered to do His will and purpose on the earth.
1 John 1:5 says, “God is light and in Him is no darkness.” The God who spoke at creation into the dark chaotic world, “Let there be light!” (Gen.1:2) and there was light, is the same God who can dispel the darkness of sin and chaos in the life of a person. How? Jesus Christ came into the world as the Light of men, shining in darkness (John 1:4,5)- He is able to dispel the darkness controlling the chaotic sinful life of any person, bringing in peace and harmony and life everlasting!- If only you would let Him in your life!
As you meditate on the Word today, would you put your faith in an Unchanging God? Would you persevere in your test of faith so that it will do its perfect work in you? Would you leave your life of sin, knowing it produces only death and decide to let the Light of Christ shine in your heart that it would dispel the darkness of sin and bring you joy, peace and life everlasting? The choice is yours!
Prayer: LORD GOD, help me to comprehend that there is no shadow of changing in You- let my faith in You be constant. Amen.
Listen: 'Today I choose'
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