James 1:17-18

January 28, 2008

As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: gift, Father, word of truth, and first-fruits.

Passage for the day: James 1:17-18 (NASB)

17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first- fruits among His creatures.

Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.

According to these verses, what is the source of good things?


Name at least 5 good things that God has given you


What does “no variation” or “shifting shadow” mean?


What is the word of truth in verse 18?


Chew on this:

Last time we learned that God is not the source of evil temptation, but here we read that God is the source and true giver of “every good and perfect gift.” God is the only the source of good in our lives. He is the source of the good fight within us that resists temptation and strengthens our heart to pursue a growing and living faith. The gifts of God are good because they never cause us to fall into sin. The gifts of God are perfect because they are the fulfillment of God’s will for His people. The range of God’s giving includes both the goodness that God has created in this universe as well as the perfect gifts God gives to all who put their trust in Him and seek His wisdom. In Psalm 84:11, God promises to not withhold any of these good things to those who do what is right! Truly, God is good in all that He does! And, as the Creator and Ruler of all things, He is called the “Father of lights.” God orders the sun, moon, and stars and controls all the changes in his creation. But He Himself does not change! The light and the shadows change from day to day, but God never changes and is always the same.

In verse 18, we see how God creates new life through His Word and His sovereign plan. The contrast here is that God does not cause us to be tempted by sin; instead, He gives us spiritual life! In the previous verses, we learn that the result of sin is death. Before salvation, we were dead in our sins, with seemingly no hope (Eph. 2:1-10); but now God has breathed spiritual life into our dead bodies by the His truthful and powerful Word! This “word of truth” is the gospel. The same God who spoke the world into existence is the same God who speaks the gospel to us and we are given new life in Him! Those of us who are saved will be first-fruits of God’s saving grace. In the Old Testament the “first-fruits” of living things, were those offered to God in thanksgiving and became His precious and special possession. We are God’s precious ones – above all else in His wonderful creation.

So, how do these verses apply to our lives today? First, we can find hope and satisfaction in God because He is always good and will never change! Second, we can be thankful to God because of the new life we have been given by the gospel. He considers us to be His prized and precious possession in the midst of all of the beautiful things He has created. Let’s taste and see that God is good!

(I encourage you to read Psalm 34 if you want more encouragement in tasting and seeing the goodness of God).

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen