Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This coming Lord’s Day we will arrive at a new section of the letter of James to the scattered saints of the first century. And while it is a new segment of the opening chapter, it is very much linked with all that the brother of our Lord has said previously. And the connection has to do with the fact that we have learned—perhaps to our great astonishment and dismay—that the source for our temptations and sins is to be found within our own hearts. According to James, each of us is tempted when our “desire,” our various lusts, lead us astray—when they lure and entice us, and we give in to their powers of seduction (v. 14). And when these spoiled inner cravings have their way with us, there is an inevitable downward spiral—“desire” gives birth to “sin,” and “sin” becomes “fully grown” and “brings forth death” (v. 15).
Now, this is certainly a rather bleak picture, isn’t it? Our hearts, according to the Bible, come from the womb already corrupted with passions and desires that are desperately hostile to the reign of our Creator. Like Adam and Eve after they sinned against the Lord, we too are fallen—everything about us is broken by our spiritual treason against God. And, of course, we know this to be the terrible consequence of ‘original sin.’ To be sure, we are all most familiar with lust. We are all continually waging a most fearsome war against persistent temptation. And all of us sin against the Lord. These are the tragic realities of our daily existence.
Along the way, however, it is very likely that some of us may be falling into despair over our passions and sins. Some may be struggling to understand what’s going on in their hearts, and have begun to question or doubt God’s providential leading in their lives. Others may be secretly nursing complaints against the Lord, or experiencing frustration at how things are turning out for them. And if it is true that our hearts—even as the redeemed people of God—are still infected with the poison of original sin, then what are we to do? How can we ever please the Lord? How do we deal with the fact that lust, unholy “desire,” still resides in our hearts?
In James 1:17-18 the brother of our Savior turns to give a potent and inspired Word of encouragement to his readers concerning these important and practical matters. And, as we will see, he will direct their minds to the contemplation of the power and character of the God who has saved them—the “Father of lights”! The hope and help that we long for are found elsewhere, outside of us, “above” us (v. 17).
J. B. Phillips translates this passage so beautifully:
But every good endowment that we possess and every complete gift that we have received must come from above, from the Father of all lights, with whom there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency. By his own wish he made us his own sons through the Word of truth that we might be, so to speak, the first specimens of his new creation.
On Sunday, we will begin to explore these blessed and hope-filled Words, and we will quickly discover that there is plenty of encouraging news to be found! If you are struggling, afraid, despairing, frustrated, or doubting, there is a most blessed answer just for you! And I can’t wait to discover it with you as we open the Scriptures together on Sunday!
I love you with all my heart, and always have you in my every prayer,
Mike