Tuesday, March 26, 2025
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. James 1:17-18 CSB
Good and Perfect Gifts
James is writing to the Jewish Christians that were scattered all over the world because of the persecution that broke out against the church in Jerusalem. He has told them to consider their trials joy because God uses trials to refine and to qualify His children. He also told them that they should not mistake trials of temptation as being from God. Yes, they are used by God, but God does not tempt people. In verse 17, we see that after James tells us that evil does not come from God, he lets us know that just the opposite does come from him in good and perfect gifts.
James has drawn and continues to draw a picture of God for us. He shares how God works in the life of His followers. He has been teaching how faith is strengthened through the means of trials and temptations. Now He speaks of how God blesses us out of those very same things.
As his followers, we desire to stand righteous before the one true God in His revealed holiness and righteousness. All of Scripture and even our own history tell us that we have nothing to offer God that will satisfy him. Our hope rests in his mercy.
While some may rationalize from their human thought what a god might demand, we have the revelation of the one true God through His actions and His Word to guide us. God has not merely acted, He has spoken. What we must do is open our minds, our spirits and our hearts to His revelation through His creation, His Word and His Son.
You may know some who speak of what “they believe” about God. It is important that we not speak from the same context of opinion but speak from the revelation we have received. Our faith is not an opinion but based in God's word and our own personal experience.
The gifts we get from our Heavenly Father are eternal in value. Other gifts we get here on earth can lead us into sin if we are not careful. They promise good things that only satisfy for a moment and leave you wanting more. God is the same yesterday, today and forever and the good gifts he gives will satisfy us completely for an eternity.
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. Hebrews 1:1-2 CSB
