Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth. – James 1:18
God knew from the beginning that He would provide a way for the sinner to come back near Him again. Jesus the Messiah is that way – He is the Truth and His words are truth. Moses and the prophets had come before Him and bore witness of His coming (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus Himself “was born to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).
God has provided a new birth for every person who believes in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Those who have experienced this new birth know that God’s good will brought the “word of truth” to your mind, pressed it upon your conscience, and opened your heart to a conviction of your sin and your need for a Savior. Your trust in the truth of the Gospel is a sign of God’s matchless grace upon you.
Scripture, God’s truth, is where you see who God is and what He does, and the salvation He provides. It is meant also to be a mirror where you see the facts about yourself and your need for cleansing, the new birth. With new birth comes responsibility. The apostle Peter talks about being “sober-minded” and called to obedience, putting off malice, hypocrisy, and envy, and instead “loving one another earnestly” and conducting yourself under the fear of God (1 Peter 1:13-23).
Experiencing this new birth is a life-changing matter. The Gospel of Christ, working within you through the Holy Spirit, becomes a living and powerful force for good. Pray that those in government positions may know the truth, understand its meaning, be convicted in their hearts, and then serve this nation in wisdom and godliness.
Today’s Verse: James 1:18
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 1:16-25
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
