James, chapter 1 - Part 3

The LORD God is our strength and song, our shield and salvation, there is no unrighteousness in YAH. He is the Lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. The LORD's Word is proven, His Word stands true and must prosper in the purpose for which He sent it in the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD.

James 1:16-17 (NKJV)

16. "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

17. 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."

Amen, thank you LORD.

God is reminding us that He only has good and perfect gifts. God does not hand out bad gifts to His children so that they may learn to pray and fast more, no. God freely gives out good and perfect gifts because He is the good Father who is filled with goodness and lovingkindness for all His children. Jesus in Luke 11:13 (NKJV) asks, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

James 1:17 speaks of the perfect gifts that Christ gives. It is important to remember that in Christ , we have been made perfect (Hebrews 10:14) according to the blood of the eternal covenant thereby enabling God to work in us according to His will and purpose (Hebrews 13:20-21).

In addition, God gives and blesses us with perfect gifts to serve His purpose. James 1:18 (NKJV) highlights this and says, "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." As a result, we keep in mind, that a perfect gift given to you by God in its raw material does not mean it is not perfect. Just like everything, there is a time of conception, seed, growth, and a time of harvest or birth. John 4:28 NLT says, "The earth produces the crops on its own. First a blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens."

At the same time, a word of caution is given to believers to recognize that temptation does not come from God. James 1:13 (NKJV) says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God;" for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He himself tempt anyone."

You see friend, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth." (John 4:24 NKJV). No temptation takes place in the Spirit and this is the reason God cannot tempt anyone with sin.

Temptation on the other hand, occurs in the flesh and it is caused by the enemy alluring the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). But thanks be to God that for this reason the Son of God was made manifest to destroy the works of the devil and all the works of the devil have been destroyed by Christ (1 John 3:8).

In turn, this also means the temptation of the flesh by the enemy is futile because Jesus has destroyed the power of sin in the flesh. This means that as a child who has been born of God, you are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11) enjoying and living in the liberty that Christ died to give you. Romans 6:12 (NKJV) continues to say, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts." Romans 13:14 (NKJV) says, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." This is the great victory and privilege we have as children of God, receiving the gift of Christ who enables us to live an empowered life that functions in the grace of God.

Prayer: Thank you Father for the good gift and the perfect gift that is Christ who has perfected us according to the blood of the eternal covenant to do good works and to work in us according to God's will and purpose in the name of Jesus. Thank you Father God that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we live in Christ and our conscience has been cleansed from dead works to serve the LORD in the name of Jesus. Thank you LORD that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us as we fix our eyes not on the seen but on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith in the name of Jesus, Amen.

I'll end with this Word found in 1 John 2:28-29 (NKJV)

28. "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

29. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to receive Jesus and be born again into God's Kingdom, that is saved and have a personal relationship with God as Your Father and you as His child by receiving His Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, I invite you to say this confession:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

GLORY TO GOD, You are now a new creation in Christ Jesus! In case you have not already, please prayerfully consider becoming a member of a church and get WATER BAPTIZED!