“His Prized Possession”

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:18)

The book of James begins with encouragement regarding various trials and temptations. For one to be blessed, they must patiently endure the trials and resist the temptation. They must look into the perfect law of liberty and keep it. (Vs. 25)

What is the source of our temptations? Such solicitations come from one’s own desires and not from God, for he does not tempt us with evil. Sadly, when one allows those desires to conceive, it can lead to sin and death.

Instead of tempting man with evil, God is the giver of good and perfect gifts. He is the father of lights. In God there is no darkness, but only what is pure and righteous. Every blessing from God is good.

While God bestows many blessings, James singles out the best of all of Gods gifts - “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth”. Of all of God’s activities, his supreme object is to re-create life through his truth so that men should belong to him!

This marvelous gift was not offered because we deserve it. Nor is the gift bestowed by impulse, but according to the good pleasure of God‘s will. It is God‘s nature to love and bestow such gifts of grace to undeserving creatures.

The word of truth is the instrument God uses to accomplish this goal. The doctrine of grace is contained in scripture. Only through God‘s word can one be convicted of sin and be led to trust in Christ for forgiveness and renewal.

Those who receive the gift God offers become the “first fruits of his creatures”. The first fruits are a token or pledge of a greater harvest. In the Old Testament, the first fruits were deemed special and consecrated to God. It carries the idea of excellence. God so loved us that “he chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession”. (James 1:18) (NLT)

Beloved disciples, remember each day who you are – that according to God’s pleasure you are his prized possession.

By George Slover

 

Share