God the Father of Lights.
James the brother of Jesus, identifies God as the Father of Lights, this title is referred to in Daniel 12: 3 as the stars being the heavenly lights, that is just one aspect of the Light of God. Another aspect: James writes, “Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the ‘Father of Lights’ with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1: 17. God is light, therefore, in God there is no darkness. There are no variations in God’s light, so there are no shadows. In the heavenly city the light is continuous, “They (the Church, the body of Christ) shall see his (God’s) face, and his name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22: 4,5. 1 John 1: 5.
God’s light reveals ‘truth.’ James continues to write in verse 18, “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth,” James stands out as a person who disbelieved his brother when he said that God was his Father, and that he had been sent by his Father into the world. James was in darkness in his disbelief. John 7: 4,5. It was after Jesus’ resurrection on that day, when he saw his brother Jesus risen from the dead, then he believed in him. 1 Corinthians 15: 7. Acts 1: 14.
James in verse 18 uses the plural ‘brought us forth.’ The disciples after Jesus’ resurrection where based at the house at Jerusalem, and when they heard from the women the angel’s message, that Jesus was risen from the dead, they did not believe the women. Luke 24: 11. Most people have heard the account of doubting Thomas, it was after Thomas saw Jesus and touched him, that he fell to his knees and said, “My Lord and my God.” John 20: 27,28. Afterwards all eleven apostles believed in Jesus and James and his brothers met with Jesus’ followers 120 Christians both men and women at the house at Jerusalem.
Today, it’s okay to change your mind from disbelieving about Jesus, to start a journey of faith in the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit draws people to Jesus, like a moth is drawn to the light. The way we come to Jesus varies through hearing a Christian witness or God speaking to us in some way,
Janet’s testimony – I came to know Janet through the Churches Together Committee in Haslingden in the early 1990’s. Janet was one of Lynn’s Ecumenical Group, who met to pray for the unity between Christians. Janet wrote down her testimony and has allowed me the privilege of sharing her encounter with the Lord Jesus.
Janet writes, “First, I would like to explain that before the event I am about to describe I finally have forgiven someone, I mean truly forgiven. A few days later, I was walking with our dogs along the disused railway in Helmshore, the town where I live. It was a pleasant day, very still. Suddenly, I felt a wind blow up, but nothing was moving. Then in front of me I saw a life size Jesus on the cross. He was dead, his body was grey, stone like, and I could not bear to look, so I turned away. In that moment, I felt all the wrong that I had done being taken away from me by Jesus, however, I did not want him to do this, because in that moment I also physically felt the pain that I had caused him through my sin. I felt ashamed and started crying. The next minute I felt a presence next to me. I was not sure if it was Jesus or God, but I could not see anyone. All the weight I had been carrying inside had been taken away. I felt so happy, so clean. Everywhere was so beautiful, the colours were so bright, I had never seen colour like it before.”
As a result of Janet’s acceptance of what Jesus had done for her, that is bearing her sin upon the cross, she found that the way was opened for her to be reconciled to God, our Father and creator.
Most people, who receive forgiveness through repentance, do not experience Jesus’ pain. However, Janet felt Jesus take her sin upon himself and therefore she experienced a tangible release from pain through forgiveness.
Another of aspect God’s light, Jesus stated that he is light of the world, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8: 12
In some countries in the world Christianity is frowned upon. The darkness is deep and seems impregnatable.
The Chinese Pastor Brother Yun was arrested for publicly preaching about Jesus. He refused to deny his faith in Jesus and as a result he was imprisoned and tortured. In his prison cell, he initially felt downcast, but he made the decision to praise the Lord for being able to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. As a result of the suffering of Pastor Brother Yun and other Chinese Christians because they refusing to deny Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit is convicting people (of the sin of unbelief) and the church has grown in China. Chinese Pastor Brother Yun ‘Heavenly Man.’ Pages 56,57. Published by Monarch Books Oxford U.K 2004.
The word of truth that Jesus gave his disciples and James is the light that produces an abundance of life in this life and eternal life. All the promises that Jesus gives, and Father God’s promises are ours through faith in Jesus. 2 Peter 1: 3,4.
Prayer – Father God, I pray for people to be enlightened about Jesus the Son of God and for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit from your Churches into the communities. In the name of the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen