Stewards Of The Goodness Of God
James 1:17-27
Introduction:
The Book of James is a very down-to-earth epistle. So far in our study we have seen some very practical advise on how to view trials and how to resist temptation. God has used this New Testament author to redirect our thinking. We are not to view trials as attacks of the devil, but as exercises designed by a loving and Sovereign God. We have been instructed to understand that God is not to be blamed when we fall to temptation. We sin because we give in to the virus of lust, failing to resist it with the spiritual anti-bodies that God provides for His children in His Word.
As we continue studying James chapter1, we find the author shifting a bit from what God does not do to the things that God does do for us. We also will receive some strong instruction on what we are to do with these great gifts from above.
I. God’s goodness is poured out upon His children.
James 1:17-18
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
A. Our gifts are good.
1. Good= morally honorable and therefore pleasing to God.
2. Perfect = complete
B. Our God is good.
1. Father of lights = Source or Giver of physical and spiritual illumination.
2. No variableness = no change.
3. We became born again according to God’s perfect will.
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
4. The Word of Truth gave us life.
Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
5. We are saved to serve.
Job 1:7-8
7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 2:1-3
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
II. God’s goodness should affect the way that you react to stress.
James 1:19
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
A. Swift = quick to hear.
Proverbs 18:13
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
B. Slow to speak.
· Speak = “chattering”
Proverbs 10:19
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Proverbs 13:3
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 17:27
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Proverbs 21:23
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
C. Slow to wrath.
· Wrath = ‘orge’= natural impulse, anger
Proverbs 14:17
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
Proverbs 25:15
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Proverbs 25:28
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
James 1:20
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
III. God’s goodness should affect the way that you approach the Bible.
A. Receive the Word correctly.
James 1:21
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
1. Get rid of filthiness = defilement
2. Superfluity = abundance
3. Naughtiness = wickedness, depravity
4. Receive the Word with meekness = inward grace of the soul.
B. Be doers of the Word.
James 1:22-25
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
1. If all you do is hear, you have fooled yourself. You have a false sense of morality!
2. It is just like looking into the mirror and doing nothing about the frightful mess you see.
3. Doers are blessed!
IV. God’s goodness should affect your public testimony.
A. You must avoid vain religion.
James 1:26
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
1. Bridle = lead, hold in check, restrain.
2. To be religious = to be careful in the externals of divine service.
3. An uncontrolled tongue makes one’s religion vain. ( void of result)
B. You must display pure and undefiled religion.
James 1:27
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
1. Visit those who cannot benefit you.
· Visit = look upon, care for, exercise oversight.
· Affliction = a pressing pressure.
2. Keep yourself clean.
· Unspotted = keeping commandment without alteration.
· The world = a ‘me first’ mindset.
