By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures (James 1:18).
Observe the beginning of the construction in the opening verse; it says, “Of his own will begat He us….” That means the Lord gave birth to us of His own volition. It was His choice to give birth to us with the Word of truth that we should be a kind or a type of first fruit of His creatures!
What’s the meaning of first fruits? First fruit means the first and the best of anything; it implies top class. You’re top class, excellent all the way, because you’re born of God. Hallelujah!
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The same truth is reiterated by the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 1:23: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” John also referenced the fact that this happened by God’s own design; it was His will: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
It was His will to make you top-class. So, live your best and be your best for Him. Keep your mind on the image of you that God has given you in His Word. You’re His peculiar treasure, His reproduction, His excellent handiwork, a bundle of success, an achiever, and a victor in Christ Jesus.
He made you for glory and beauty. See how He describes you in Ephesians 2:10 AMPC: “For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Let this put springs in your steps.
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It makes no difference who condemns you; refuse to be distracted by what others might be saying about you. What counts is who you are in Christ: you’re top-class; perfected in righteousness, holy, unblameable and unreproveable in God’s sight (Colossians 1:22). Glory to His Name forever!
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for you’ve made me the expression of your beauty, excellence, perfection and grace. Thank you for your glory in my life. I declare that my life is for your praise and glory, and I fulfil my destiny in Christ, bringing forth fruit unto righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
James 1:22-25 (KJV): 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
1 Peter 2:9 (AMPC); But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own [a]purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 28:1-16 & Psalms 26-29
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 10:25-37 & Joshua 20-21