STUDY PART 6
GIFTS FROM ABOVE
James 1: 17-21 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (18) He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created. (19) My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (20) For man’s anger does not bring about righteous life that God desires. (21) Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.“
Intro: The gift of life is a never ceasing miracle to man. The comments made at the nursery window as a family views a new arrival. Surely, this child is a little package from God as the parents faces gleam with pride. James this evening turns our attention to the source of all our benefits. We need to focus our attention upon God and realize He is the source of all our blessings. In our previous study, we were warned about blaming God for personal failures and sin. Since the days of Adam, man has sought in some way to blame God for all his troubles. The real source of our sin and failures is found within ourselves. As in our last study, James 1:16 declares: “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers or make no mistake about it” the reason for sin and failure is not God but us. This verse 16 also introduces the subject that every good and perfect gift cometh from above. Let no one make a mistake about this great truth as well.
I.
The giver of all good (Vs 17) “Every good and perfect gift is from
above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change
like shifting shadows.” --- God gives as only deity can afford and His gifts
are good and perfect. The gift of His only Son stands out as an example (John
3:16 and Rom 8:32). He is the giver of life, health and strength. He is the
bestower of eternal life unto them which believe (John 1:12) His gift of the
Holy Spirit to each individual believer should bring a word of thanks from every
child of God (John 14:17) (Rom 8:9). James guided by the Holy Spirit reminds us
to look heavenward from which comes our blessings . Some, yes Christians too,
become so taken up with the world they forget the source of their blessing. Let
us never lose sight of our high calling.
Second part (V 17) “From the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like
shifting shadows.” Have you ever thought about the fact that shadows are not
caused by the sun. Dark days are a result of earthly clouds. Night comes because
our part of the earth is not facing the sun. Darkness comes to the heart of men
because some earthly source has come between them and the Son of God.
God’s light has not changed (I John 1:5) If there are shadows its because our
faces are not set toward Him (John 8:12). God is the “Father of light” scripture
states and “In Him, there is no darkness.”
II.
The Word of Truth (Vs 18) “He chose to give us birth through the word
of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.” ---notice
the words “he chose” to give us birth. It was by His own will he seeks us. Man
does not seek God (Rom 3:11) (Is. 53:6). Christ came to seek us- “For the Son of
man is come to seek and save that which was lost” -Luke 19:10. Our human will is
not destroyed in this. We can reject Him. However, we are saved by “his own
will” . “The Lord is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should
come to repentance. “ -II Peter 3:9. In order to be saved, my will must become
God’s will. Proof of His love is seen in the gift of Himself, “He gave himself
for the church”-Ephesians 5:25. Proof of my love is to receive Him as Lord and
Savior (Rom 10:9,10) (Acts 4:12). The Word of Truth- we must never forget the
place God’s word occupies in man’s salvation. (Rom 10:17). God’s word is the
basis for Faith (I Peter 1:23) The truth of God’s word can be depended upon. One
can with confidence have Faith in the Word of God (Rom 3:4).
(vs. 18) second part “firstfruits of all he created” --In the Old
Testament, the Israelites presented to the Lord the first fruits of the harvest.
This act in which the part was offered was a pledge of the whole (I Cor
15:20-23). We should likewise yield our whole self for His service and praise
(Rom 12:1).
III.
Behavior of those begotten of God (VS 19-21) (19) My dear brothers,
take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to
become angry. (20) For man’s anger does not bring about righteous life that God
desires. (21) Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is
so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.“ –every
man should be quick to listen or swift to hear-King James version- On the basis
of personal Faith in Christ in vs. 18, James addresses the Brethren in Christ in
this passage. They are as God’s children to be swift to hear. God has given us
tow ears with no bars to keep out sound. We should be swift to hear the Word of
God for Faith cometh by hearing- Rom 10:17. Let us remember God’s Word, is God
himself speaking to us (I Thes. 2:13). May we listen like David (Ps. 139: 23,24)
“Slow to speak-“ Here for some is the hardest of God’s commands. To obey
will save much heartache for ourselves as well as for others. Words hastily
spoken are hard to recall and much damage is done by unguarded words. A wise
man is slow to speak (Prov 10:19). He realizes that “every idle word that man
shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment –Matt
12:36. Notice James does not say never speak. “We are to speak out for Christ,
not hastily, but wisely proclaiming the Word of God in love” -Ps 107:2.
“Slow to wrath or to become angry-“ James links these tow for usually
quick words lead to wrath or anger. Christians need controlled tongues and
tempers. Debate may lead to words and when words fly, tempers are often lost.
“When we are swift to hear God’s Word, we are slow to become angry-“ Prov.
14:29. It is not wrong to be angry at sin. “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil.”
Ps. 97:10. “Be ye angry and sin not” –Eph. 4:26. An angry man does not think
straight. For this reason, God’s word declares all church leaders are “not soon
angry: Titus 1:7.
IV.
Sin goes out and the Word comes in (Vs 21) “(21) Therefore, get rid of
all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word
planted in you, which can save you.“—Here James emphasizes to take off sin
and lay it aside. The heart is deceitful (Jer. 17:9). Out of the heart flows
wickedness (Mark 7:18-21). I Peter 2:1,2- talks about day of false prophets who
will deny the Lord who bought them. We need to clear our fields of weeds just
as farmers do before they plant a seed. The seed put into good clean ground will
produce a good harvest. Every thorn of wickedness must be put away or rooted out
of the Christian life. The test of the good hearers of the Word is seen here. If
listening to the Word brings no change in the life, there is doubt that the Word
has brought life. Receive the Word in meekness or with humility. This is more
then hearing, this is letting it take a hold in my life. Meekness/humble is not
self. When received like this, the Word is able to teach us, mold us, correct
us, and lead us.
“which can save you” or save your soul—This passage is misinterpreted by
many people. This doesn’t refer to the unsaved. Sinners are never told to
cleanse themselves. To receive the Word in meekness or with humility is to keep
the soul from damage. Sin damages the lives of believers. As we study God’s
Word, we avoid many pitfalls and evil tendencies. We are also kept from evil and
damage caused by it.
Conclusion: Let us be careful of our tongues, quick to hear the Word and obey. God wants us to be doers as well as hearers of the Word of God.