The Father of Lights!
Happy New Year! May 2008 be all that you dreamed of and more! Now go make it happen.
As I was falling asleep last night, a portion of Scripture flashed across my mind, like the headlights of a passing car illuminates a hitch hiker. This heavenly light brought an understanding of the passage that I would love to share with you now.
James 1: 16-17 (New King James Version)
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 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.
You may want to read other Bible versions of these verses.
The preface to the core message of this verse warns us not to be deceived. As if what the writer is about to say runs contrary to some widely held but false notion. It is like one would say, 'Don't be deceived folks, being rich and famous will not bring lasting happiness.' Most people would suppose that to be rich and famous is to always be happy. But upon closer examination, we would find out that this supposition is, unfortunately, false.
What core message is the writer of these verses passing across? Everything good comes from God. It would seem that in this day and age, this is not a universally accepted truth. Those who do not accept this statement, according to this author, are deceived. And no wonder so, because of the next part of this verse. Everything good and everything perfect comes from God, whom this writer calls the Father of lights! Of all appellations that he could have used to describe God, James here calls God, the Father of lights. In this context, this appellation is significant!
The reason it is significant to call God the Father of lights in relation to the good and perfect gifts that he bestows is that to those who acknowledge God, his gifts come by way of light. That is, a supernatural unveiling of the promises in his Word. Biblical writers call what I am talking about revelation or insight. When you receive the revelation or insight of a matter from God, that matter is unfading, unchanging and eternally settled.
So, all of God's gifts come as insight, light or revelation, which when grasped change the life of a person forever. It is possible to receive God's gift without receiving a revelation of them, but then, that would be like a baby that inherits untold fortunes from departed rich parents. First the child cannot enjoy his or her riches, and secondly, he or she stands in peril of losing the fortune to greedy relatives or other elements of a world system more determined to take from you than to give to you.
The next time that you enjoy a good thing, remember to be thankful to God for it, and ask him to increase his light on you and within you.
Be blessed today.
As I was falling asleep last night, a portion of Scripture flashed across my mind, like the headlights of a passing car illuminates a hitch hiker. This heavenly light brought an understanding of the passage that I would love to share with you now.
James 1: 16-17 (New King James Version)
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 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.
You may want to read other Bible versions of these verses.
The preface to the core message of this verse warns us not to be deceived. As if what the writer is about to say runs contrary to some widely held but false notion. It is like one would say, 'Don't be deceived folks, being rich and famous will not bring lasting happiness.' Most people would suppose that to be rich and famous is to always be happy. But upon closer examination, we would find out that this supposition is, unfortunately, false.
What core message is the writer of these verses passing across? Everything good comes from God. It would seem that in this day and age, this is not a universally accepted truth. Those who do not accept this statement, according to this author, are deceived. And no wonder so, because of the next part of this verse. Everything good and everything perfect comes from God, whom this writer calls the Father of lights! Of all appellations that he could have used to describe God, James here calls God, the Father of lights. In this context, this appellation is significant!
The reason it is significant to call God the Father of lights in relation to the good and perfect gifts that he bestows is that to those who acknowledge God, his gifts come by way of light. That is, a supernatural unveiling of the promises in his Word. Biblical writers call what I am talking about revelation or insight. When you receive the revelation or insight of a matter from God, that matter is unfading, unchanging and eternally settled.
So, all of God's gifts come as insight, light or revelation, which when grasped change the life of a person forever. It is possible to receive God's gift without receiving a revelation of them, but then, that would be like a baby that inherits untold fortunes from departed rich parents. First the child cannot enjoy his or her riches, and secondly, he or she stands in peril of losing the fortune to greedy relatives or other elements of a world system more determined to take from you than to give to you.
The next time that you enjoy a good thing, remember to be thankful to God for it, and ask him to increase his light on you and within you.
Be blessed today.
posted by Shegs at 7:44 AM
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