James 1:17

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

James 1:17

The first chapter of James is by far my favorite chapter of scripture. James is all about the idea that the true power of scripture comes not just from hearing the word but putting it into practice and letting it effect every aspect of our lives. It has to define who we are.

Before this specific verse James was talking about temptation and the downfall giving in to it leads to. James tells us that the Lord isn't the one who tempts us but rather He, our Father, give's us every good thing we have. James then goes on to talk about the character of the God we serve, "With whom there is no variation or shifting shadow". James is saying, with God, you know what you are getting and it doesn't shift to something else when you get into it like temptation does. Temptation lures you in promising one thing but never having the ability to deliver on it while God's very character is based on the fact that He never fails to deliver on His promises or His word.

The mark of a Christian needs to be that they relay on the character of God especially during times of temptation and trials. That's the very definition of faith! It's not just a word but rather the very way we live our lives. By faith not by sight.

Love

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

1 John 3:16

For me, there are some pieces of scripture that have so much power and influence in my life it's overwhelming. This is one of them. Is there a more beautiful picture painted in the entire Word of God than this? It's a verse I've known for a good awhile and one I routinely use to encourage myself of the Love the Lord has for me. I can remember talking about the Love God has for us and using this verse and all my mind could think about was the crucifixion of Jesus. What Jesus did on the cross is something that can never be overstated and that act of Love is exactly what Ephesians 3:19 refers to when says His love goes beyond all understanding but this verse covers more than just the crucifixion! 

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 

who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Philippians 2:5-8

While the crucifixion is one of the most humbling things to read about in scripture for me so shouldn't the very birth of the Savior in Luke 2:1-7. Jesus laid down his place in the heavens and placed himself into this world for me. The story of Jesus' birth is the greatest act of humility anyone will ever read. The Creator of everything chose to step into this world for my sake laying down his rights to meet the greatest need I ever had. The King of Kings entered this world that He created to serve as my perfect sacrifice. Is there a greater picture of Love than that? The very fact that Jesus entered this world at all should bring me to my knees let alone realizing why He came. If we miss the humility and pure perfect Love of our Savior this Christmas we have completely failed to grasp what this day is supposed to mean.

How do I miss the mark so badly when it comes to this day? When did this day become more about me than about Him? When did I get so selfish to think that my life belongs to me when He bought it with a price?

Father, how can I respond to this kind of perfect Love and humility but with my very life? Help me to live out 1 John 2:6 in light of these very things. Help my life be marked with this kind of love and this kind of humility that you have shown. My only purpose Lord is to tell Your story with my life and to be pleasing to you in every area of it.