Doers of the Word, James 1:22-27

 

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

²⁶ If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Outline: 

·       22-24 Doer

·       25 Disciple

·       26 Deliberate

·       27a Duty

·       27b Destiny

 

22-24 Doer

Chuck Norris recently entered Eternity, where, I believe, he heard the words, “Well done.” Many years ago, Roxy and I watched Walker Texas Ranger, each night as we ate supper. Did he do commercials for Bowflex? Maybe not? We owned one for years, a long time ago. Owning that Bowflex never made me muscley like Norris.

I used it all the time... for a hat rack, a chair, a bench to pile stuff... Owning it was useless, unless I was a doer of the Bowflex.

Owning a Bible is of no value unless we are doers of the Word.

Doers? Doug! That sounds like work. Wait. I thought we were saved by grace through faith, not of works, so no man can Bowflex. I mean, boast. Eph. 2:8-9.

That’s True. The thief on the cross didn’t have to do anything, but believe, and he showed up in heaven. Just because the Man on the middle cross said he could.

However, had the thief lived; after having met the Word, he’d be required to be a doer of the Word.

The Bible requires nothing of unbelievers... but belief.

But after that, it’s shoe leather. Roll up your sleeves, we’ve got work to do. 

This is how Jesus did it when He put on skin and wore shoe leather:

Matthew 9:35-38

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ³⁶ But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. ³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. ³⁸ Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Pray for more doers.

Be doers of the Word (Logos).

The word, for “word” in the original text is logos. It’s the same word used repeatedly in John 1:1, 14, referring to Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... ¹⁴ and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...

Be doers of the Word, is not a suggestion.

To obey the Word is to obey Jesus.

To be doers of the Word is to be doing like Jesus.  

Hebrews 4:12 tells us the Word is alive and powerful and exposes thoughts and motives.

That’s why James calls it a mirror. It’s an Xray mirror into our soul.  

A mirror tells the Truth.

We may not like it, but it’s the Truth. The older I get, the less I like it.

The old hillbilly never saw a mirror. So, when he found one, he said, “Well, I’ll be, a picture of Pa. God rest his soul.” He set the “picture” on his workbench in the barn. When his wife saw it she snatched it up and exclaimed, “Why’s he got a picture of an ol’ hag like that in here?

A mirror reflects the person looking into it—not someone else.

It doesn’t reflect the speck in someone else’s eye, only the log in our own.

So, when the mirror reveals something out of line, we have two options.

Be a doer, or a deceiver.

Do something to get in line with the Word.

Or walk away deceiving ourselves.

That’s why Bibles are dusty. Pews are empty. Some don’t like what they see.

But it can’t be unseen. The Word doesn’t return void. It makes its mark.

Some try to bury it with business, or numb it with drugs or booze, but it’s no use.

The Word is too powerful and breaks right through. 

So, they live a lie.

Some deceive themselves into being “doers” of the world, but not the Word.

Jesus says it like this:  

Matthew 7:21-29

²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

²⁴ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

²⁶ “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

 

To be a doer of the Word, we must know the Word.

Which brings us to the next verse.

25 Disciple

 ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Looks into is to stop and lean in for a closer look into the mirror, the perfect law of liberty, the Word of God.

Continues in it, is as a lady primping, not missing, one spot or blemish or hair out of place, as a glorious bride preparing without spot or wrinkle. Eph. 5:25-27. 

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Luke 11:28

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.

Psalm 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

The Word promises blessing on its disciples.

That’s why we invest all our time into teaching and preaching the Word. Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, word by word. In the last few years, we’ve walked through all of Genesis, Revelation, Joshua, John, Daniel, Acts and are currently winding our way through, Ezekiel and James.

But make no mistake, its more than just knowledge.

To truly understand the Word, we must truly know, the Author.

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are Spiritually discerned

For example:

There’s another James, that knew the Word, grew up in church hearing the Word preached by his Pa in the New Hope Baptist Church, just outside Kearney, Missouri. Raised in a Bible believing, church attending, home.

I suppose his folks were so happy the day he was baptized. Surely they didn’t know, that just hours before, he killed a man.

He liked going to church. Taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.

Robbed banks and trains, killed some twenty people.

He was a Sunday School Superintendent.

Like the thief on the cross, he believed he was going to heaven.

However, after hearing the Word, unlike the thief on the cross, Jesse James had time to be a doer of the Word; but according to his deeds, he didn’t.

Only God knows the condition of his heart when he died, but his actions reveal he was a hearer only, not a doer, and thus, deceived.   

 To truly be a doer of the Word, we must truly know, the Author.

John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

26 Deliberate

²⁶ If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 

Hearers but not doers find religion but not relationship.

They gain knowledge of the Book but lack intimacy with the Author. Thus, they fill the emptiness with talk of religion, vain, useless, religion, that deceives them into believing they’re going to heaven, while living in sin.

Doers of the Word, are deliberate in word and deed, bridling their tongue, swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (James 1:19).

Deliberately discerning that:

Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

27a Duty

²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble... 

Putting feet to faith. Shoe leather to sermons.

When the preacher’s speaking is done, is when the sermon begins to be done.

Religion that never leaves the sanctuary is useless.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40: In as much as you’ve done it to the least of these, you’ve done it unto Me.

Orphans and widows in that day were the most vulnerable and needy, least of these.

The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve. Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45.

Matthew 23:11. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mark 6:31 says there were so many coming and going that they didn’t even have time to eat.

Of the over 900 different translations of the Bibles in English, the one that’s understood the best is: Shoe Leather.  

Pure undefiled religion is shoe leather.

It’s outside the stained glass and pews and clubhouse chairs. It’s hitting the street visiting orphans and widows, hospitals and that friend having a rough go. Helping someone with something—doesn’t matter what—just for the honor to serve and show that Jesus still puts on skin. Dropping off groceries and clothes. Crocheted donations. Standing in the street or parking lot or grocery store, praying for someone you just met and slipping them a little something extra as you shake their hand. It’s countless encouraging texts, and calls, and letters and prayers sent around the globe. Hanging out talking out how to be better doers of the Word.      

Being a doer of the Word, is dusty, and sweaty, exhausting and heavy... it’s the closest thing to heaven on earth, the greatest joy and fulfillment in the World. It’s a glimpse of our Divine Eternal Destiny.

27b Destiny

and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Being doers of the Word, will get us all kinds of dirty from the earth—and keep us unspotted from the sin-stained world.

James 1:21 tells us to lay aside all filthiness and wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save our souls.

Being doers of the Word sets the trajectory of our Divine Eternal Destiny, that looks a lot like this:

1 Peter 1:15-16
Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy, because I AM holy.”

Psalm 1:1-1-3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. ³ He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

So, let’s be:

Doers of the Word

Disciples of the Word

Deliberate in Word

Dutiful to the Word

Fulfilling our Devine Eternal Destiny according to the Word.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for helping us to be doers of Your Word, ever looking into Your Perfect Law of Liberty, being transformed from glory to glory into Your image. So, all who see us, will catch a glimpse of You, that none are lost.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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Thank you for sharing.

The Prophet’s Pantomime, Ezekiel 12:1-16

The closer you get to your destination, the more signs you see. More frequent, more specific.

The closer you get to delivery, the more labor pains, more intense, more frequent.

The signs of the times work like that.

The Lord works like that. He did it back in the day, with Ezekiel and friends, and He’s still doing the same today. For those who have ears to hear and eyes to see.

For multiple chapters and months we’ve been seeing and hearing Ezekiel give warning, judgement is coming!

But did you notice, in the last chapter, the Lord actually, named, names. Ezekiel 11:1.

It’s getting more specific. More intense.

Today as we step into Ezekiel 12, we see a detailed prophecy pointing specifically to the last days of the last king of Judah, the weak, rebellious, Zedekiah.

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.

Based on the repeated rebellion of the people of Judah, this one statement from the Lord basically tells Ezekiel:

Son of man your house is weak, it’s a mess, it’s a wreck. Over and over we’ve warned, but they just won’t listen.

When we built a replica of Jerusalem under siege, showing exactly what was going to happen, did they humble themselves and turn to Me? No! They did not.

When you baked bread over fire made of dung, did they run from the stench of their sin? No! They wallowed deeper in the muck and mire.

When with a sword, you shaved your head and beard, did they turn from their shame to the Lord? No! They clung tighter to idols made of wood and stone.

They are a rebellious house!

They know better. They have eyes, to see My glory every evening and morning. They have ears to hear how I’ve blessed the nation from sea to shining sea.

Yet they reject Me, turn from Me. They refuse My Word, My prophets, My people and believe the lies of false prophets that tickle their ears and tell them all is well, peace and safety, king Zedekiah will save you, and make you healthy, wealthy and wise.  

They are a rebellious house!

Rebellious house is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, over a dozen times in Ezekiel and five times in this chapter alone.

Rebellion is devilish.

1 Samuel 15:23: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you (Saul) from being king.

Rebellion is not done in ignorance but in defiance.

Rebellion is knowing the Way but turning away.

It’s knowing the Truth but accepting the lie.

It’s knowing Life but choosing death.

It willingly rejects the Way, the Truth, the Life, Jesus Christ.

So, does God say, “Stand back while I turn this rebellious house to rubble!”  

No, He does not.

The Lord repeatedly gives warnings, when and where and why, judgement will fall.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

So none, be caught unawares.

So all, have opportunity to be spared.

2 Peter 3:9
It’s not His will for any to perish, but that all come to repentance.

Ezekiel 33:11
He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that all turn, from their wicked ways and live.

That’s the heart of the God of Israel.

That’s where Israel gets it from.

Today before Israel drops a bomb, they drop millions of leaflets, texts and calls, warning, judgement is falling, at this time, at this place, evacuate.

No other nation does so much to protect civilians.

Posted after our service. Was he watching? 

So, God does not tell Ezekiel to watch out while He sends fire from heaven on the rebels. 

Instead, once again, He tells him to give them a sign. But this time, put on a play, a skit, a mime. It may be that they will consider—and turn from their wicked ways and live.

But they’re pretty hard-headed, so probably not.

3 “Therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings for captivity, and go into captivity by day in their sight. You shall go from your place into captivity to another place in their sight. It may be that they will consider, though they are a rebellious house. 4 By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight, as though going into captivity; and at evening you shall go, in their sight like those who go into captivity.

Ezekiel (Savannah) packing belongings

NOTE: During our Sunday morning service as we talked this out, we simultaneously walked out what Ezekiel may have done, in their sight. Special thanks to our extraordinarily gifted and talented actors, Savannah and Luke.

By this time folks had grown accustomed to gathering by Ezekiel’s place to see and hear what the Lord had to say. Or what peculiar thing the Lord might have him do.

Imagine the discussion while they watched Ezekiel packing his belongings in their sight.

What’s he doing? What’s he trying to show us?

I know. He’s reenacting when we were taken captive and brought here to Babylon.

No that’s not it. It’s a sign, soon we’ll be packing up too, and going home to Jerusalem. I heard king Zedekiah was about rise and revolt against Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah will set us free. We won’t be here long.

But wait. That can’t be it. Don’t you remember, Jeremiah said the Lord told us to build houses, grow crops, settle in, have kids, make the most of it because we’re going to be here awhile—seventy years. (Jer. 29:5-10).

Nonsense. How can you listen to what Jeremiah says? He said we’re to pray for the peace of the place where we’re carried away captive, for in its peace you will have peace (Jeremiah 29:7). Ha! How crazy is that? Can you believe it? Pray for our enemies? Who in the world would ever say anything like that?

JESUS:
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44

Back to our text.

⁵ Dig through the wall in their sight and carry your belongings out through it.

Ezekiel (Savannah) digging through wall

 ⁶ In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.”

I have made you a sign.

You are a sign.

Are you pointing to Jesus? 

When folks see you, hear you, watch you, do they draw closer to Jesus?

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

⁷ So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my belongings by day, as though going into captivity, and at evening I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought them out at twilight, and I bore them on my shoulder in their sight.

⁸ And in the morning the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ⁹ “Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’

So I did as I was commanded. Obey right away. Seek first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33.

This is what Jesus is talking about when He said, I’ve come to give you life (zoe) more abundantly (John 10:10).

He wants His family so full of zoe life (the God kind of Life) that folks ask, “What are you up to now?”

A life where you never get bored and never run out of things to do.

A life of liberty even in captivity.

Did you notice he said, “as though going into captivity”.

As though? Doesn’t he know, he’s been a captive in Babylon for five years already?

Or maybe he knows these timeless Truths:

Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. John 8:36.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatian 5:1.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Isaiah 61:1.

¹⁰ Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem (king Zedekiah) and all the house of Israel who are among them.” ’ ¹¹ Say, ‘I am a sign to you. As I have done, so shall it be done to them; they shall be carried away into captivity.’ ¹² And the prince who is among them shall bear his belongings on his shoulder at twilight and go out. They shall dig through the wall to carry them out through it. He shall cover his face, so that he cannot see the ground with his eyes. ¹³ I will also spread My net over him, and he shall be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans; yet he shall not see it, though he shall die there. ¹⁴ I will scatter to every wind all who are around him to help him, and all his troops; and I will draw out the sword after them.

"caught in My snare"

2 Kings 25:1-10, and, Jeremiah 52:7-11, document these events happened just as the Lord had said through His prophets.

For well over a year, Jerusalem was surrounded by the Babylonian army. Just as the Lord had said.  

The Jews were starving captives inside their own city. Resulting in some eating their own young.

They dug a hole in the city wall and king Zedekiah and his men escaped. Just as the Lord had said.

But Nebuchadnezzar’s army pursued Zedekiah and crew and in the plains of Jericho (15-20 miles away) they caught them. Just as the Lord had said. 

Zedekiah’s army scattered. Just as the Lord had said.  

They took king Zedekiah to king Nebuchadnezzar’s military headquarters at Riblah, on Israel’s northern border, (Syria, today).

There they pronounced judgment on Zedekiah, killed his men (that were caught), killed all his sons before his eyes, then took out his eyes, bound him with bronze fetters, and took him to Babylon. Where he remained prisoner until the day he died. Just as the Lord had said.

It all happened exactly as the Lord had said.

God’s Word is HIStory told in advance.

God’s Word is the most relevant, current, accurate, Truth, ever written.

About 27% of the Bible is prophecy.

8,352 verses out of the 31,102 verses of the Bible, are prophetic.

Out of the 2,500 Bible prophecies, 2,000 have already been fulfilled.

The rest, every single jot and tittle, will be fulfilled, just as the Lord had said. Matthew 5:18.

¹⁵ “Then they shall know that I am the Lord, when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. ¹⁶ But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”

Repeatedly, over 60 times in Ezekiel the Lord reveals His heart’s desire:

Then they shall know that I AM the LORD.

One day all will know that I AM is LORD.

One day all will see that everything came to pass just as the Lord had said.

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Philippians 2:10-11.

The closer we get to our destination, the more signs we see; more frequent, more specific. The closer we get to delivery, the more labor pains we feel; more intense, more frequent.

The signs of the times work like that.

The Lord works like that.

He did it back in Ezekiel’s day and is doing the same today.

Prophetic Warning Signs and Next Big Events in HIStory:

RAPTURE.

·       1 Thes. 4:16-17

·       1 Corinthians 15:51-52

·       John 14:3

·       Matthew 24:4-14

7 YEAR TRIBULATION

·       Jeremiah 30:7

·       Daniel 9:27

·       Daniel 12:11

·       Revelation 13:5

Ezekiel 38-39 WAR - Russia, Iran, Sudan, Turkey, Libya.

DAMASCUS DESTROYED - Isaiah 17:1

Consider the names of the current military operations:

Epic Fury, in a name describes exactly what the seven-year tribulation will be— the ultimate Epic Fury. NOTE: It began, 2.28.26. If it ends 4.18.26, that’d be seven weeks, perhaps prophetically foreshadowing seven years. Not prophesying, just saying we should have our eyes and ears open to what the Spirit may be saying to the Church. Be alert. Watch and pray.

Roaring Lion, in a name describes exactly what Jesus second coming will be like. His first was meek and mild as a Lamb in a manger. However, at the end of the Tribulation He returns roaring like a lion. Revelation 19:11-21.

Conclusion:

Did you hear about the near miss of a missile on the temple mount? What was Iran thinking? What if they destroyed the Dome of the Rock? Would that set the stage for some charismatic world leader to rise to power and rebuild the 3^rd temple? An event that will happen at the hands of the antichrist.

The Ezekiel 38-39 war is taking shape quicker than we may think.

Arab nations turning against Persia (Iran), pulls Russia with a hook in the jaw to bail out the bully little brother. (Ezekiel 38:4-5).

He who has ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us a multitude of signs so all who are willing are able to find their way to You. Help us shine as a sign pointing to You. So that of all those You’ve given us, none will be lost.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

 

Every Good and Perfect Gift, James 1:16-21

James opens telling us to count it all joy when we fall into temptation, knowing that it is an opportunity for promotion and completion.

If we lack wisdom, ask of God who gives to all who ask in faith.

We’re blessed by enduring temptation and the crown of life, awaits those who love Him.

Temptation never comes from God.

Temptation always comes from our own desires, and if allowed to grow, ends in death.

So...

¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 

Don’t be deceived like Eve. Gen. 3:6.

Don’t doubt the Word of God, the Word of Truth.

Don’t fall for the forbidden fruit that looks so good, so pleasant to the eyes and so desirous to make one wise.

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, are poisonous imposters of the pure and precious gifts of God. 1 John 2:16.

Remember yielding to temptation only leads to destruction, darkness and death.

Therefore, let’s move forward in our journey through James, and life, by considering a better Way.

Look up.

^17a Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...

Ah, that’s refreshing.

Last week we read:

¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 

And we said:

If it's sin—it’s not from God. Period.

If it’s evil—it’s not from God. Period.

Today, let’s soar to a new level.

Rather than looking at what’s not from God, let’s look at what is.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

So, we can say:

          If it’s good and perfect—it’s from God.

These words in the original Greek text have a poetic rhythm, and some say they are a fragment of an ancient Christian hymn.

Our English word, “gift” is two Greek words in the original text.

Every good gift (dosis) and every perfect gift (dōrēma) is from above.

The first “gift” refers to the act of giving, the second to the gift itself.

Gift (dosis) = the act of giving

Gift (dōrēma) = the gift itself

Notice the two lovely gifts are preceded by a couple of handsome escorts, good and perfect.

Good (Greek: agathos), which means, good.

Perfect (Greek: teleios), which means, mature, full-grown, complete. Like a pirate’s telescope extending, step by step, stage by stage, strength by strength, until full capacity, full extension, full strength, completeness, clarity.

Teleios should sound familiar, this is the third time in James we’ve heard that word.  

You may remember when we discussed it in verse 4.

But let patience have its perfect (teleios) work, that you may be perfect (teleios) and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4.

If you are born again, you are a gift. Growing like good Seed in good soil. Telescoping, extending, step by step with the Word as a lamp; strengthened day after day with His daily Bread. Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Now if we add all the definitions we just discussed, we can say:

God is ever giving goodness, and His Gifts are always perfect.

Okay, let’s get back to our text.

Every good gift and perfect gift comes down from above...

^17b ...and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 

People need to know this.

Tell them.

Help them see, Him, in you.

There are no shadows in God. No dark side. No downside. He’s an ever-present Good Father in good times and bad—no absentee dad. Never moody. Never drunk. You never have to walk on eggshells around Him.

He’s not out looking for a fight.

He doesn’t take pleasure in punishing people, but in giving good gifts.

Do our lives reflect this about Him?

Serving and following and loving Him is always good.

No matter the circumstance. He is never changing, ever faithful, strong and stable.

On dreary days, during the darkest night, the sun still shines just as bright.

It gets that from its Creator. Our Father.

God is good. All the time. Period.

Malachi 3:6, He states clearly: “I AM the Lord, I change not...”

Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

¹⁸ Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Of His own will

He wants you, alive, at such a time and place as this.

Are you living out your mission? Your Divine Eternal Calling?

He brought us forth. He gave us birth.

In the beginning God spoke, “let us make man in Our image.” Genesis 1:26-27.

The Love that flowed from His lips from that day to this, echoes from countless multitudes of husbands and wives whispering, “let’s make a baby.”

John 3:3
Unless born again, no one can see the Kingdom of God

His Divine Eternal Purpose from those words in the beginning to The Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us (John 1:14), was so we could be (brought forth) born into His glorious family. 

Jesus is the Word of Truth.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1, 14.

I AM the Way, the Truth, the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me...(John 14:6).

In the volume of the Book (Word of Truth) is written of Me. Psalm 40:7, Hebrews 10:7

A kind of firstfruits. The Feast of Firstfruits is when Israel takes a sheaf from the first crop and brings it to the priest as a wave offering to the Lord. Showing thanksgiving for the first fruit and faith for much more to come.

Now check out the cool part.

The Feast of Firstfruits is celebrated in the spring, (this year it’s, April 4-5, 2026).

It is the day after the Sabbath following Passover.

Jesus died on Passover. Then was Sabbath, the next day was Sunday, the first day of the week and the first day of The Feast of Firstfruits.

Jesus resurrected on the Feast of Firstfruits.

Jesus is the Firstfruit from the dead, with much more to come.

If you are born again, you are part of the much more to come.

He is the Firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

¹⁹ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

So then, my beloved, I said all that to say this.

Listening is a part of communication.

God gave two ears, one mouth.

Do the math. 

Communication should be, at least, two parts listening to one part speaking.

Let patience have her perfect work. Before speaking, pray for wisdom. Listen for the Word of Truth.

Count it all joy, endure temptation, look toward the crown of life.

Doing that will take care of being slow to wrath and produce the righteousness of God.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Ephesians 4:26
Be angry and sin not; do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Heb. 12:1 ...lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Okay, the Holy Spirit is moving us to teleios quickly, kindly.

However, this verse smells like Luke 15:11-32.

When the prodigal son came home, he stunk. Imagine, pig manure in his hair, his clothes stained with all kinds of muck. 

Yet, his father gave him the biggest hug of his life and said, let’s have a feast.

But dad didn’t stop there. He gave his son a robe, and a ring and some shoes and... probably a bath.

God loves us just the way we are, but too much to keep us that way.

We need to be continuously growing closer to the Lord, further from the world.

We should be laying aside the filthiness of the flesh, the overflow of wickedness from the world.

That pig slop we brought in with us should be replaced as we receive with meekness the implanted Word, that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Receive with meekness the implanted Word, is a picture of good soil receiving good Seed.

Mark 4:14-20
¹⁴ The Sower sows the word.

¹⁵ And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

¹⁶ These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; ¹⁷ and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

¹⁸ Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹ and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

²⁰ But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

How do we get good soil?

Great question. The answer can be seen if we glance over our shoulder at the highlights the Holy Spirit has already shown us in this dynamic little book of James.  

Count it all joy when temptations come.

Let patience have her perfect work.

Ask for wisdom, in faith.

Endure temptations.

Be not deceived

Focus on every good and perfect gift that comes from the Father of lights.

Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for every good and perfect gift You’ve given us. We offer them as a wave offering back to You only asking You use them for Your glory, to bring many into Your Harvest.

Lord, how can we love and serve You, better?

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

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Facebook: Every Good and Perfect Gift, James 1:16-21

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.