James 1:18 - In the Bible We Find Salvation and Sanctification.
James 1:18 (NIV) He chose to give us birth
through the word of truth, that we might be a kind
of firstfruits of all he created.
James 1:18 (AMP) And it was of His own
[free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by
[His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind
of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of
what He created to be consecrated to Himself].
COMMENTARY PEARL
The Bible Does the Impossible in Your Life
God uses his Word to give you a fresh
start in life. But its not just any fresh start
- its a total transformation! He wants to
transform your life so that you can become the person
he created you to be and live a fulfilling
life.
The Bible is unlike any other book. It
can make the impossible become reality in your
life, because it has supernatural power. It is the
Word of God.
What kinds of things does the Bible do
for you? Without Gods Word, you could never
be saved. You wouldnt be headed for heaven.
You wouldnt know about Jesus death on the
cross. You wouldnt know about Gods purpose
for your life.
Without the Bible, you wouldnt know
God.
God wants to give you all of these things
- and all of this starts with his Word.
Through the Bible, God recreates our
lives. When you feel like youre at the end of
your rope, God uses the Bible to give you a fresh
start, a do-over. The Bible calls it being born
again. James 1:18 says, He chose to give us
birth through the word of truth (NIV).
How does that happen? The Bible is often
compared to a seed. Once the Bible takes root in your
heart, it begins to sprout, grow, and bear fruit.
It produces in you a character more like Jesus
and a heart for the things God loves. As you
know Gods Word better, God changes your life
for the better.
Jesus said this about his Word: The
words I have spoken to you - they are full of the
Spirit and life (John 6:63 NIV). Gods Word
isnt just words on a page. Its spirit and
life. Its spiritual power. His Word can
transform society and history. It can do the
impossible. It can change your life!
D. L. Moody, a famous 19th-century
Chicago pastor, said, The Bible was not given to
increase our knowledge; the Bible was given to change
our lives.
Think about your own life. How do you
need your life changed today? What part of your
life do you feel powerless to change?
The Bible says the Word of God can change
things that you cannot change on your own. Make
study of Gods Word a regular part of your life,
and get ready for what seems like the impossible
to become reality! [Daily Devotional by Rick
Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
Focus on Gods Word
In addition to focusing on Gods
character, we must also focus on Gods Word in order
to resist temptation. Sometimes we dont
understand the importance of the Word and the fact that
it is alive and active. We view Scripture like
the Queen of England: She holds the top position
in the country, but she has absolutely no
power. She cant pass any laws or enforce any
decrees. Many of us hold Gods Word in high esteem,
but it has no power in our lives. The Bible
wasnt meant to decorate your coffee table or be
held under your arm at church. The Word of God
was written because of what it can do in our
lives. James 1:18 explains that we were brought
forth by the word of truth; the Word brought us
spiritual life.
The Word saved us, and it can also
sanctify us. Gods Word works in the spiritual
realm. Temptation exists in the spiritual realm,
and only Gods words have power and authority
in that arena. When the Devil tempted Christ in
the wilderness, he told Christ to command
that these stones become bread (Matthew 4:3).
He offered a physical temptation to meet a
physical desire for food. But Jesus resisted the
temptation by calling on the Word of God. He said:
Man shall not live on bread alone but on every
word that proceeds out of the mouth of God
(Matthew 4:4). This is a direct quote from
Deuteronomy 8. Jesus knew the Scripture so well that He
could employ it to resist the temptation the Devil
was throwing at Him. He stood on the authority
of Gods Word to recognize that He would
trust in God and Gods Word.
Gods Word is our sure guide to weather
the clouds of life, no matter what our senses or
emotions tell us. [Alternative View with Dr. Tony
Evans;
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view-with-dr-tony-evans/]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
John 17:3 - A Supreme Relationship with
Jesus Christ is Eternal Life.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220418-0927.html
Romans 1:16, 17 - Power of the Gospel.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200924-1151.html
John 17:17 - Holiness from God's Word.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201007-1438.html
1 John 5:11, 12 - ETERNAL LIFE IS A
RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS!!!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220320-1151.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
