WITNESS AND JAMES 1:17-18

In the course of preparing for January 25^th’s message on witnessing I was thinking about how the stupendously great calling and privilege of being witnesses for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8) has not changed. Change in our lives is a constant challenge but God does not change (Malachi 3:6) and His Son does not change (Hebrews 13:8) and the Truth does not change (Isaiah 40:8)!

And I read another biblical text containing the word change, a marvelously assuring passage about the immutable character of God, James 1:17-18—

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”

We can bank on this—God does not change and His will does not change! By His will He brings forth (this is birthing language) His people by the word of truth (that is, the gospel). What a miracle! By the power of His Word He makes dead people alive! And He does so for this purpose: “…That we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” “Firstfruits” is a farming word that describes the crops that ripen first at harvest time. It carries with it the idea of expectancy that more crops will ripen and be ready to reap. In other words, by the power of His gospel truth, God will keep on birthing dead people from death to life—this is His will.

And as His witnesses we have the high privilege of being the means God uses to bring the life-giving truth to those whom God will saves.

“O God, I long for this, that you would please use the people of Rocky to deliver the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people around us, and that you would please grant us the blessing of bearing fruit for your kingdom and glory. In the Son’s Strong Name, Amen.”