The Perfect Gift
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” (James 1:17 AMPC)
I love this verse, and am always comforted in knowing that God never changes. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Giver of every good, perfect gift.
As is always the case, there is so much more to this Scripture. It is rich in truth.
In basic earth science classes we learn about light as it pertains to the sun — which God created. As the sun rises, it casts shadows behind anything that gets in its way. Light is on one side of the object. Darkness on the other.
God IS light. And because He never changes, there is no rising nor setting of His light.
He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen. (1 Timothy 6:16)
You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens. (Psalm 104:2)
Can you imagine being in light so brilliant that there are no shadows at all? It’s too much for us to take in. Too much for us to experience.
On one hand, this thought is amazing. On the other, it almost hurts my eyes just to think about it.
But …
When you are the one who is (or has been) living and hiding in the depressive shadows caused by sin …
And you come into the Presence of this glorious Light … confessing your sin …
God forgives completely and dispels the darkness.
Jesus, the Light of the Word, cleanses us so we don’t have to stumble through depressive darkness anymore (John 8:12).
THAT is freeing!
To say it another way …
God gives us the perfect gift.
His light, so brilliant that we cannot approach Him, dispels the darkness of our sin when we come before Him in repentance. From that point forward, we walk in the light that leads to life!
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all … if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5, 7)
The perfect gift?
Forgiveness. And a life lived free from darkness.
is the Giver of the Perfect Gift Share on XImage: Pixabay (Sergey Klimkin)
James 1.17 is the verse I tagged my grandson with at his miraculous birth in 2003! Love!
Thank you for reminding me of such a beautiful truth, Dianne. I’m so grateful for the hope that God offers us when we turn to him and fully repent. The last scripture that you shared says it beautifully, “there is no darkness in him at all”. Awesome!
By the way, it’s been a while since I stopped by and I just love the changes you made on your site. What a great job! It was beautiful before and it’s even more beautiful now.
I am so glad God offered us forgiveness. No matter what sin I have been involved in, He is always so gracious, merciful, and forgiving to me. He never changes. I am so thankful for that! As dark as this world gets sometimes, I am so glad He is a glorious light shining and I am walking in that light. Your friend from Grace & Truth.
Thanks, Marva. The site is getting a whole new makeover next year. But I was playing around an it to see if I could use my current theme to accomplish what I want. God’s faithfulness and forgiveness is chase away the darkness. I’m so grateful for His love. Thanks so much for taking time to come by and comment.
What a blessed day that was for you and your family!
I rejoice with you in His glorious light! Thanks for coming by, Mindy.
Beautiful! James 1 was a part of my Bible reading plan for this morning, so I loved reading what you had to say. Blessings to you!
Forgiveness. And a life lived free from darkness.
That is an awesome gift. How often I skim right past how big a gift that truly is.
Thank you for your words.
I’m visiting from Grace and Truth.
Love the scripture from Hebrews! Thanks for sharing this post with us.
What a beautiful post about the beauty of salvation and forgiveness!
I’m grateful for His most valuable and precious gift- the giving of Himself for our salvation.
Thank you for sharing Dianne!