James: Living Faith, Life from the Word

James: Living Faith
Life from the Word (James 1:18)
February 14, 2010

Birth of Sin
James explains that temptation comes from our own deceitful desires within, which convince us God is holding back on us. When these desires conceive, they give birth to sin which always brings forth death. James reminds us every good and perfect thing comes from God who never changes like shifting shadows—or our shifting desires—and sin is not from God; therefore, it’s not good. Sin at its root is deceptive unbelief, and can be fought by replacing deceitful desires by the superior truth of God.

Birth of Life
James then describes a new birth that comes not from sin, but from God. Just as our will brings forth death through deceit, God’s will brings forth life through the truth of the gospel.

1.) Who accomplishes the new birth?
“Of His own will, He brought us forth…”
2.) How is the new birth accomplished?
“Of His own will, He brought us forth by the Word of Truth…”

“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

“In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, we’re sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13)

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17)

3.) What is the result of the new birth?
“Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

This knowledge gives us indestructible hope for our city, for new birth is accomplished not by me--my efforts, my church programs, my sense of fashion, or my persuasion--but by God’s sovereign grace opening hearts to receive the word of truth through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore we seek to put ourselves in the way of the word of truth, know the word of truth, and speak the word of truth in love. Our great God will accomplish the rest.

Feb. 21, 2010: “True Religion,” James 1:19-26