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"Every good gift and every perfect gift..."

Text: James 1:17

THE GIFTS OF GOD

The Apostle Paul wrote about the gifts of God (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12). In his writings Paul sought to help his readers to understand how they should make full use of their spiritual gifts.

James took a slightly different approach. He had this to say about how we may see the gifts of God.

“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.”
James 1:17

1. Gifts are to be appreciated

a) They come from God.

b) He is wonderfully described as “The Father of lights”.

2. How may we appreciate the gifts?

a) They are to be recognised as “good gifts”.

b) They are to be further recognised as “perfect gifts”.

c) We would need to ask God for wisdom to do the following: –

i) To recognise the gifts.

ii) To cultivate them.

iii) To utilise them effectively.

3. Appreciating God as the Giver of precious gifts

a) He gives as our Father in heaven.

b) He is wonderfully called “The Father of lights”.

i) He may be described as “the absolute light”.

ii) There is no variation (no variableness).

iii) There is no shadow at all.

NOT DECEIVED

The danger of being deceived is possible! The story of Simon the Sorcerer comes to mind readily.

1. Simon the Sorcerer saw how the Apostles Peter and John seemed to be able to bestow the Holy Spirit on people.

2. He offered money to Peter to purchase this right of bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit.

3. The Apostle Peter turned around and gave a sound rebuke to Simon (Acts 8:18-24).

“Your money perish with you, because you thought
that the gift of God could be purchased with money!”
Acts 8:20