Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights,with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
When we think of the gifts that God gives, we of course think of the free gift of salvation from sin and eternal life. What a wonderful gift eternal life is! It is given by God’s great grace and purchased at the great expense of the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. However, the wording of this verse in James seems to indicate that there are more good gifts and perfect gifts that are available to us because God is immutable.
Actually, when we study the meaning of God’s grace we find that it is, “the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.”
Now I like the ingenuity of “Do It Yourselfers”. However, the abilities and resources of us mere humans is minute when compared to God’s. I have found that many of the things I did as a “do it yourselfer” while they may have been cheaper monetarily, were just as cheap practically and didn’t last very long.
Just by looking at the diversity of creation it is easy to see that God’s wisdom and abilities are limitless. While we often have to use whatever we have on hand, He never runs out of materials because He spoke all things visible and invisible into being. Our use of inferior quality materials makes the efficiency of the finished product questionable, but His gifts are perfect!
When we try to work up our own relationships or our own happiness, or character or financial or personal security or a healthy lifestyle or physical longevity without any consultation or input or advice or help from God we will fail miserably compared to the wonderful gifts that God gives.
We do great disservice to God, our families, our church, and our communities when we only allow God to control our religious life. Jesus Christ didn’t come to this earth just to bring us the gift of eternally life.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Joh 10:10