James 1:16-18 — God=good???

READ THIS: James 1:16-18 

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
 
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

James says don't be deceived (tricked)...but tricked by what??? What we read yesterday was about trials and temptations, and how trials come from God, but temptation from the devil. So, let's not be tricked into believing that God gives us temptations. God only gives us good things. But when bad things happen, we start to believe that maybe God isn't good. This is just like the story of Habakkuk, where Habakkuk starts falsely accusing God of doing bad stuff. But what's also like the story of Habakkuk is our ability to go to God through prayer and the Bible! By doing that, we can learn the word of truth that James talks about, changing us into more faithful people who are like "firstfruits." Firstfruits is a term used for the first fruit of the season. It's the best kind of fruit and it shows that more fruit is on the way. For us, that means we can be a sign for others that change is possible! We are new and different now because of Jesus, and others can be, too!


THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Have you ever wondered if God was actually bad? What do you think now?

2. Do you feel like you are new and different in Jesus? If yes, since when? If no, talk to your community of faith about this! Christians help each other through temptations/trials/life, even if you aren't sure you believe!

 
TRY THIS:

Share with someone who loves Jesus a negative thought you've had about God and hear what they have to say about it!




Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2023 at 6:27 AM

    I feel like I am “new every morning” when I’m spending time with Him, praying to Him! Those times I miss, I don’t feel as close, as dependent on Him and that’s not a good feeling!

    ReplyDelete

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