James 1:16-18 | Part 6
1st Peter 4:10-11 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
We are all gifted. And talented 🙂
Gifts in God’s economy are used to serve others.
Why?
Because all gifts given are GRACE given
When you speak, when you serve you are giving these gifts away via grace through action
God gets ALL glory, and He will not share it with you. Ever.
This is not about what you can GET from God so your life is better, it is about your requirements in God’s gifting which optimizes your life. The real value is found in giving grace away.
James 1:16-18 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Who wants to be lied to? Answer: NO ONE
So what is the lie? Answer: Every good and perfect gift is from here on earth. You can obtain it. God is good, but…things here are better.
1st John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying.
God is light, no darkness
You walk in darkness, you don’t walk with God
Where do you walk?
So what’s the truth? Answer: Every good and perfect gift is from the creator of all that we see, from the Father of LIGHTS! Not the liar in the darkness.
The world is constantly changing what will satisfy you.
The Father of Lights has been 100% consistent since time began.
Believe in me. Obey me. Worship me. Love others in my name.
18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
We were birthed by TRUTH. Why?
So we could bear fruit
Christians are not called just to acknowledge Christ, but to emulate Him in word and action!
1st John 2:6 Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1st Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
How do we do this? Well, we start with who God is, His attributes and what the results of those attributes are. Then we spend our life returning to focus on these things
Attributes of God:
1.) Holy
2.) Father
3.) Warrior
4.) Redeemer
5.) King
IF_________________________THEN_________________________
Results of God’s attributes:
1.) His perfection can be trusted
No usery
No sin or evil present
When understood, it gives confidence through humility
2.) His love can be received
Real Daddy love!
For the child
Desires good things for us!
3.) His protection is real
God’s warrior status is over all. No competition, no threat
He is for you, and you are behind Him as He moves
4.) His forgiveness is forever
Our redeemer saves us because He chose to, not because we earned it
He saves us forever for Himself and His glory
5.) He is to be (trusted) and obeyed
Jesus is King
Obey Him
He has always been trustworthy
God is:
1.) Perfect
2.) A lover of your soul
3.) Very protective of you
4.) Forever forgiving of His people
5.) To be obeyed