Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 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 1:17-18)
James tells us that every good and perfect gift comes to believers from above, and He wants us to know what is of God and what is not. In James' mind, nothing good rises to God from the earth. If it is good, it is of God and comes down from God, and there are no exceptions.
Every good work we do in the service of God is born of the Spirit dwelling in us. James speaks of this as "the meekness of wisdom," which is quite different from the forceful and strident spirit some display. James calls worldly wisdom earthly, sensual, and demonic. The tell-tale signs of this type of spirit are envy, selfishness, confusion, and every other evil thing. God has called us to something much better. He has called us to Himself in Jesus, and He has given us the Holy Spirit who will never relent until we and our works are perfected in Him. The Lord is producing good fruit in us, and that fruit is evidence of the holy seed He has planted in our hearts — purity, gentleness, humility, mercy, productivity, and impartiality.
May we know what is good and what is not — what is from God and what is not. Let us be sure our works and our wisdom are from above and our fruit is good fruit.
Let's Pray - Dear Father, we gladly receive everything You pour out upon us. We look to You daily, for all good things come down from heaven. We love You. Amen.
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