The Perfect Gift

"Do not be deceived my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" - James 1:16

Giving is two-fold. We don't tend to see giving as two-fold because of our culture. Our culture suggests that giving is simply between one person and another. However, scripture would suggest something deeper. Scripture would suggest that all giving is a reflection of God's dealing with man. There is a reason behind Jesus saying, "it is better to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Jesus doesn't use empty words. When he says giving is better than receiving he means it. Why? Because throughout scripture, God is continually seen as a giver with man being the receiver. So in essence what Jesus is saying is, "It is better to be like God than it is to be like man"

But what is this deception that James talks about? "Do not be deceived.." Have WE been deceived? I don't FEEL deceived. Unfortunately, we have been deceived. The evidence is everywhere. One way that we've been deceived is in our vernacular. The word "lucky" is commonly found on our lips but it is surprisingly absent from scripture. None of the Bible's authors use any form of the word "luck". You simply will not find it anywhere in scripture. You will however find the word, "blessed". In fact, you will find this word close to 300 times throughout the bible. (That's around 4-5 times on average in every book) I don't mean to overstate my case but it seems as though this concept of "blessing" is somewhat of a theme in the bible. The reason why the word "luck" is a deception is because it only fits into an atheistic worldview. Luck stems from chance. Chance stems from disorder. And if God is a God of order, he has no dealings with luck or chance. God and luck cannot coexist. However the word "blessed" fits perfectly into a biblical worldview. "Blessed" suggests purpose. It suggests intentionality and love. It also suggests that there are at least two parties involved. One who is the blesser and one who is blessed. The word "lucky" dishonors God because it reduces his grace to a product of chance. Therefore, "luck" should be removed from our vocabulary and replaced with "blessed".

Also, we find James making a distinction between a "good" gift and a "perfect" gift. While there is a distinction between the two, they both descend from a common source. Namely, the Father of lights. But why the distinction? Perhaps it could be that a good gift is something that one could USE whereas a perfect gift is something that one desperately NEEDS. May I suggest that there are an infinite amount of good gifts but there is only one perfect gift. There is one gift that is elevated above all other gifts. All good gifts merely shadow and imperfectly mirror this singular perfect gift. This perfect gift is Jesus Christ. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son". Romans states it this way, "For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). This verse is a little more clear. We see our need as well as our solution. The need is an escape from the death that our sin has earned. Jesus has taken the death for believers and given them his perfect record. The reason we give gifts on Christmas is to symbolize the perfect gift of Jesus' life for all who would turn to him. He literally is the "perfect" gift. He is completely without sin and yet freely gives this "perfect" record to those who would receive it.

I"ll end by suggesting that we ought to see every good thing as from God. Even the things we take for granted ought to be reflected back to God in praise "since he gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" (Acts 17:25). Note the order of the words. Life and breath come first. The fact that you are breathing right now (and I assume you are) is evidence of God's grace. The very fact that you are able to read and follow a pattern of thought is an unbelievable gift from God! However, these are all to prepare us for the perfect gift of Jesus Christ. All other gifts tank in comparison to this perfect gift. Our deepest need is the need for a Savior. Not only is Jesus a savior, but he is also a treasure. I pray that you would recognize the hand of God in all good gifts and be incredibly grateful for the perfect gift of Jesus Christ.

He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.

Joy in times of stress

Life is stressful. Life is infamous for suffering, hardships and trials. However, as followers of Christ we are told to rejoice in these sufferings. We are told to consider it "pure joy" when we face trials of various kinds (James 1:2). How could this be? How are we to rejoice in the loss of a close family member or the loss of a friend? How are we to glory in the injustice of crooked politicians, crooked professors and crooked people? Surely the apostle Paul doesn't have our trials and our difficulties in mind when he exhorts us to "rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Of course this argument falls apart when you take into account the life of Paul. We find Paul's suffering résumé in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. He writes,

"I am talking like a madman-with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked...in danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city...in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches"

For the sake of clarity, let us recap. Paul has experienced physical pain (vv 24-25), emotional pain (v 26), the pain of betrayal (v 24) and the pain of anxiety (v 28). This is the résumé of the man who has told us to "rejoice always". Could it be that he has learned the secret to possessing unwavering joy? Philippians 4 would assume so.

"In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:12-13) 

This verse was never meant to be plucked out of context and plastered onto the back of church league baseball jerseys promoting some sort of underdog mentality. The immediate context suggests that Paul's realization occurs in the midst of suffering. However, it is in the midst of this pain that God will usher in a deeper understanding of the sufficiency of Christ. Joy will flee from us until we realize that Jesus Christ is our treasure. I pray that you would be satisfied in Christ alone as the source of your strength and your joy.

He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.

3 Glorious Truths

How are we to cope with stress? What is the secret path to joy that Paul talks about time and time again? I believe Jesus gives us a very applicable blueprint in John 14. "Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me" (v 1). 

Keep in mind, this blueprint occurs directly after Jesus reveals four devastating truths to his disciples.

          #1: I am going to be crucified (12:32-33)

          #2: Some people will never believe (12:39)

          #3: Judas is a betrayer (13:26)

          #4: Simon Peter will deny me three times (13:38)

In the midst of this, Jesus has the audacity to tell his disciples "Let not your hearts be troubled". The next sentence is very important. "Believe in God, believe also in me".  Following this command are 3 glorious truths that Jesus intends for us to set our minds on daily. He desires that we set our minds on these daily so that we might glorify him by having his joy overflowing in us. No believer can be unaffected or unmoved by these 3 glorious truths. The burden of this passage is to believe. You must believe not only on an academic level but also on a heart level. You need your heart, soul and mind all to be engaged in order to believe these truths. This word "believe" ought to be synonymous with "trust" or "eat" or "follow".

Glorious truth #1

- Jesus is taking you to heaven

"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am  you may be also" (vv 2-3)

Most of our stress comes from being overly-attached to the things of this world. The implication of believing in our heavenly destination will cause us to detach our source of joy from the things of this world and find our joy in being co-heirs with Christ. Are you worried about living situations? Jesus has prepared a place for you in heaven. Are you worried about relationships? Jesus wants to be with you in heaven. Are you concerned about your academic performance? Jesus has given you his perfect righteousness. The list goes on but the truth stays the same. You are meant for life with Jesus in God's heavenly kingdom.

Glorious Truth #2

- Jesus knows where he is going

"Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." (vv 5-6)

A lot of our stress comes from uncertainty about the future. The implication of believing this promise is trusting the Holy Spirit to lead you into your God-ordained future. Even in times of uncertainty we need to believe that God has a definite plan for our lives. He knows the way. Therefore, let us follow him. Jesus makes three claims in verse 6. He claims to be the only way to God, the ultimate standard for truth and the only source of true life. Therefore, although you may not know what the future has in store, Jesus does, and he is taking you there. In the midst of your confusion and anxiety he quietly whispers, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow" (Matt 6:34)

Glorious Truth #3

- Jesus plans to use you for great and mighty things

"Truly truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the son." (vv 12-13)

Stress can be caused by the feeling of worthlessness. Or perhaps you regularly feel bored. If so, what you are feeling is the beginning of something incredible. You were not created to sit on the bench and watch life pass you by. God has carefully crafted you in his image. Go out and live! Find a passion like Nehemiah did and surrender your life to it! God has personally given certain spiritual gifts specifically for you. He wants you to use them in ways to glorify him. Herein lies the best part, you will never feel more alive than when you are operating out of one of your spiritual giftings. We ought to spend much time in prayer asking the Father to reveal to us what his passion for our life is. I pray that you would have the joy of Christ at all times and in all circumstances.

He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.