God gives good gifts

This is the season where everyone starts thinking about gifts.  I was reminded of a verse from James.

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

I see two main thoughts.

#1 God gives good gifts to His children

#2 God never changes.

James is contrasting God’s nature with our nature.  We are fickle people.  We change our minds all the time.  We change our loyalties.  We cannot be depended upon.   God never changes.  God’s love for us never changes.  God can be counted on.  God keeps His promises.

God never tempts us to sin.  If we are feeling tempted then it is coming from our own sinful nature.  We are responsible for our actions.  We choose our actions.  (Saying that the devil made me do it is not accurate.)

2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

Difficulties in our lives are to develop our Christian walk and testimony.  They are to point us to Him.  Remember Romans 8:28 that tells us that God causes all things to work together for good.  He uses everything to try to make us more like Christ.  To make us a people that will change the world we live in.

Recognize that God sees all things from the beginning of time to the end of time.  He does what He does because He loves us.

So what are some of the good gifts that God gives us?   salvation, peace, hope, truth, love for others, the Holy Spirit.  Can you add to this list? 

Santa Claus can’t give any gift that can compare with the greatest gift God gave and that is His son, Jesus.  So as we are in the gift giving season, remember to thank God for the best gift of all.

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