James 1:17-18
Dive Deeper
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.”
James 1:17-18
Behind the Scenes
When I was growing up, my mom and dad always planted a huge garden every year. They would plant in early spring, carefully tend the plants over the next couple of months, and finally pick the ripened fruits and vegetables. The first juicy tomato, crisp cucumber, or succulent watermelon tasted so good. It was exciting because we knew that many more tomatoes, cucumbers, and watermelons would follow these first fruits.
As believers, we have many gifts from God. One of the most mind-blowing gifts is our identity as children of God once we say yes to Jesus. Don’t take this part of your identity lightly. These verses help us meditate on the true impact and meaning of this gift.
Every gift our Father God gives us is good and perfect, so it lacks nothing. As children of God, we have value and meaning. Nothing changes this: not our family background, not our past actions, not our present failures, and not our weaknesses. This gift is from God, referred to in these verses as the Father of heavenly lights. The being who created the billions of stars scattered across our universe made you and secured your salvation as His child through Jesus Christ. This gives us an almost unimaginable security.
God does not change, so our status as His children does not change. We cannot lose this status or have it taken away. When we say yes to Jesus, the Son and the Word of God, we become children of God as though we were being born anew. Jesus Christ overcame death and was resurrected. He will never die, so Jesus serves as the first fruit of all people who are born again. James, the author of these words, and other early Christians likewise served as first fruits of the millions who would come to faith in Christ over the years.
Make it Real
Realistically, when I ate that first tomato, I hoped that many more would be coming, but I could not be sure. One year, a type of beetle invaded the garden and absolutely wrecked the plants. Rabbits also liked tomatoes and could spoil the crop. We could not be one hundred percent certain how many tomatoes or other vegetables we would enjoy after those first fruits.
God’s gifts, however, are certain. The gift He gave us as children of God cannot be lost. No pest, no failure, no demon, no person can ever remove that status from us. We may have sufferings in this life, but we know our future is secure. Our value and identity will not fade. Every day is an opportunity to accept that identity and reflect the love and service of Jesus to the world around us.
We too serve as first fruits as children of God. We teach our children about Him. We give glory to Jesus when we love and serve our neighbors. People look at our identity and they want this. They want to know where this love, joy, and peace come from. The aroma of Jesus on our lives entices others. The cycle continues with each generation serving as first fruits for the next. Displaying the promise and glory of a life defined by our status as children of God, we continually plant the seeds of faith that the Spirit will grow into the next harvest.
Therefore, as you wake and face the day, getting yourself ready for the challenges or the grind, embrace your identity as a child of God. Consider yourself a first fruit, ready to show God’s love and glory to others so that more fruit may be harvested.
Johnny Spence
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Father, thank you for your gifts. Thank you for creating me and providing a way for me to become your Child through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Help me embrace my identity as your Child. Help me feel the security and value of being your Child. Help me reflect your glory as your child to my family, my coworkers, and my neighbors so that they too are drawn to you. I do this through the power of your Spirit. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.