In the spiritual realm, a good counterfeit does not exist.
James, in chapter one verse twelve, encourages the Christians, to whom he is writing, to perserve and endure the trials they face because of the reward God has promised...a crown of life.
The very next paragraph, James warns them against accusing God of tempting them to sin. He states emphatically that God neither tempts nor is tempted by sin. But we, as humans, are tempted and dragged away by our desires.
The next paragraph again James seems to change topics as he reminds them that good gifts come down from an unchanging God.
These paragraphs may seem unrelated until you pick up the common thread: what is the gift we should desire?
In a world where believers could lose everything for their faith, it must have seemed especially tempting to take the easy road sometimes, to give in. Grief and trouble greeted them; discouragement whispered in their ear. If they could reach for something to give them relief, maybe they should take it as a sign that it is what God wanted for them.
James said, no. They should endure the pain, the hardships, the loss because the gift ahead of them would be far better than anything they could imagine. He reminds them that the counterfeit good, that shines so brightly before tired eyes, is not from God and, therefore, will reap pain without reward.
The same is true for us. So often impatience makes us attempt to find our own good for our life. If God hasn't brought us a spouse, maybe dating an unbeliever or giving in before marriage seems acceptable. If God doesn't provide an abundance of money, maybe we need to find a way to provide it for ourselves. If God doesn't give us a home, a car, nice things that we think will make us happy, we just put it on credit.
The result? Baggage, heart ache, debit, regret...
Every good and perfect gift comes from above. If God does not provide it, we need blind trust to wait on Him. Either He will or, for reasons our 3 lbs of brain can't comprehend, it is not good and perfect for us.
If you've blown it, He can use and will forgive you when you turn back to Him. But when it comes to following God, cutting corners can kill you...or at least destroy the good and perfect plan He has for your life.
Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:16-17)Wait for His good and perfect gift. Don't settle for counterfeit goods.
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