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.