This isn’t good. We’re only eight weeks in, and I’m already so far behind in my posting that this week’s passage is online on Friday! Better late than never…?
James memorization, Week #8, James 1:18
“Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
This verse is perhaps better translated in this way: “Because he was willing, he gave birth to us by the word of truth, in order that we might be a sort of firstfruit of his creation.” This translation places the emphasis in the proper place: on the nature of the giving. In other words, God’s giving birth to us was done willingly.
In saying this, God is emphasizing that He acted freely in birthing His people. He was under no obligation or constraint to act; instead, He acted willingly. But how does God “birth” His children? The means God uses to accomplish this act is “the word of truth.” His word is the instrument through which God brings spiritually dead people to life, and thereby adopts them as full-fledged sons.
What a picture! James has just implied that God “birthed” the universe (He is the “Father” of lights, most likely referring to the sun, moon, and stars). Having “birthed” the universe, God now “births” his own special people, called by His name.
There are two amazing theological points here. The first is that we do not “become” God’s children by virtue of who we are, or what we do. Goodness does not matter; morality plays no part; being religious is of no value in entering God’s kingdom. In addition, since man cannot enter again into his mother’s womb (so argued Nicodemus!), God must be the agent of new birth for us to have any hope.
Secondly, how amazing is the grace of God! Consider that He was willing to give birth to us. We, who were dead in our sins, are given new life through the word of truth because God was willing to act on our behalf.
I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful not just for the word of truth, but for the God who was willing to give me new life through it!
Occupied with the Word 