First Tuesday of Lent
March 3, 2009
Today’s Reading: James 1:17-20
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. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits 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 the righteous life that God desires. [1]
After James great discussion on temptation and that those temptations do not come from God, he decides to tell us what does come from God. All good and perfect gifts come from God. This is what God gives people. James is echoing back opt Genesis and the opening chapter where everything is declared good by God. James reminds his readers that it is God ho created the universe and God who put the plants, fruits, trees, ground and water in place. So, temptation, which is not good, cannot come from God. There is a reason James reminds us of where all these good and perfect gifts come from.
The gift to believers is that through the gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ we are first fruit. A new creation of the new heaven and new earth proclaimed through the gospels and Revelation. We are the product of the new covenant with God. This is the greatest gift and the source of our greatest hope. It is from this source of perfect gifts and first fruit that we need no must live a life different from the world around us. For there is something that God desires from us are not desired by the world.
God wants us to slow down and take a simpler life. This is the product of being His first fruit. This is the life that brings a demonstration of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. In this new life, people are called to show the world that it is better to be open and receptive to God’s will be slowing down. We listen first than speak. We understand a situation before becoming angry. If we were to live according to these two simple principles, slow to speak and slow to anger, would the world not be a much different place? Would not our relationships with others be much different? So, take some time today and listen to people and to God. Seek God’s desire in all situations before acting out. I believe with James that this life lived out of the first fruit of the new covenant will expand our life and the work of Christ in the world.
Tomorrow’s Reading James 1:21-24
March 3, 2009
Today’s Reading: James 1:17-20
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. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits 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 the righteous life that God desires. [1]
After James great discussion on temptation and that those temptations do not come from God, he decides to tell us what does come from God. All good and perfect gifts come from God. This is what God gives people. James is echoing back opt Genesis and the opening chapter where everything is declared good by God. James reminds his readers that it is God ho created the universe and God who put the plants, fruits, trees, ground and water in place. So, temptation, which is not good, cannot come from God. There is a reason James reminds us of where all these good and perfect gifts come from.
The gift to believers is that through the gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ we are first fruit. A new creation of the new heaven and new earth proclaimed through the gospels and Revelation. We are the product of the new covenant with God. This is the greatest gift and the source of our greatest hope. It is from this source of perfect gifts and first fruit that we need no must live a life different from the world around us. For there is something that God desires from us are not desired by the world.
God wants us to slow down and take a simpler life. This is the product of being His first fruit. This is the life that brings a demonstration of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. In this new life, people are called to show the world that it is better to be open and receptive to God’s will be slowing down. We listen first than speak. We understand a situation before becoming angry. If we were to live according to these two simple principles, slow to speak and slow to anger, would the world not be a much different place? Would not our relationships with others be much different? So, take some time today and listen to people and to God. Seek God’s desire in all situations before acting out. I believe with James that this life lived out of the first fruit of the new covenant will expand our life and the work of Christ in the world.
Tomorrow’s Reading James 1:21-24
[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jas 1:17-20
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