445. JAM 1:16-17. GOD THE FATHER OF LIGHTS

Jam_1:16-17. God The Father Of Lights

"Do not err, my beloved brethren. 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."’97Jam_1:16-17.

The text was evidently designed to counteract and overthrow a very dangerous sentiment which has prevailed in every age of the world. The error was this,’97that all good and evil emanated from God;’97that God was the fountain of both good and evil. This seems to have entered into the spirit of Adam. The same evil seems to have prevailed in the days of the apostles. Doubtless this opinion was that which the apostle referred to in ver. 13,’97"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted of evil, neither can he tempt any man." Let us observe,

I. Our Text presents a sublime Representation of Deity.

II. Exhibits him as the Source of all possible Good.

III. Cautions us against holding incorrect Views on this Subject.

I. Presents us with a sublime Representation of Deity.

1. He is the father of lights.

By father is meant source, &c. In this sense he is the father of the universe’97men, angels, &c. But the text refers to lights. Light is the emblem of goodness, and God is the father of all good

(1) There is in nature the creature light. That which shines and makes manifest, this was the direct offspring of Deity. There was a period when the eye of Deity rested on nothing but one chaotic mass. There was the almighty pleased to say, "Let there be light: and there was light."

(2) There are the orbs of light. The sun, moon, planets, and fixed stars. God is said to have created all these. The psalmist hath said in the language of inspiration, "He made the sun to rule by day, the moon and stars to rule by night." Psa_136:8.

(3) There are minds of light. Mental light. God gave Adam an extensive capacity of knowledge, which he showed in giving proper names to all the beasts, birds, &c. When we look abroad on human nature, we see some minds of mighty intellect. A Newton, Locke, and Milton, &c., but there never was one ray of light, but what was derived from God. He is the father of lights.

(4) There are angels of light. And he is the father of these Angels are styled morning stars. The angel who rolled away the stone from the sepulchre is thus described: "His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. They dwell in the presence of God, &c. God is the father of lights.

(5) There is the Saviour of light. ’97And he is the father of him. In him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead. God filled him with his glory, so that he was the express image of the effulgence of the Deity. God is the father of the Messiah’97he is the father of lights. But in the sublime representation of Deity in the text we are referred,

2. To the unchangeableness of his nature.

With whom is no variableness, &c. He does not’97he cannot’97alter or change. He is unchangeable. The heavenly bodies perform their revolutions. Day is exchanged for night, light for darkness, &c. But God alters not. God the fountain of all light and purity is ever the same. Even the angels fell from their first estate, and the sons of light became messengers of darkness,’97but God, the great father of light, is without the shadow of turning. His nature is absolutely so. His perfections and attributes are so. His purposes and mind are so, &c. It is the prerogative of Deity to say, "I am the Lord, beside me there is none else." God is to his creatures the father of lights.

II. God is exhibited as the Source of all possible Good.

All that is really good proceeds from God. The text gives us a distinction. Every good and every perfect gift. Let us look at these two kinds of gifts.

1. Good gifts. Among the blessings to which we refer, are, existence, health, reason, all temporal blessings. Food, raiment, and all our providential mercies. God is the father of every good gift. This is a thing which we should never lose sight of. We have not a single good which is not the blessing of a good God.

2. Perfect gifts are those which emanate directly from Deity; they are sent to prepare us for eternity. The chief of these gifts are,

(1) The gift of the only-begotten Son of God. Jesus is the perfect Saviour. In him dwells all the fulness of the Father. God’s great gift. God’s holy, perfect Son, &c. His delight. This perfect gift proceeded from the father of lights.

(2) The gift of the Spirit. The comforter and sanctifier of the church of God. He came down from above, &c.

(3) Gift of the glorious gospel. God’s news from heaven. The message of life, &c. Perfect good.

(4) The gift of a full pardon. Thy sins are forgiven. God gives remission of sin. He justifies, &c.

(5) Gift of a new nature. Renewed into the image of God. A new heart. Partakers of God’s nature.

(6) The gift of sufficient grace. The enjoyment of God’s constant favor. Perfect grace &c. Every good and perfect gift proceedeth from the father of lights. We have now noticed good and perfect gifts. Observe,

III. The Caution which the Text contains.

Do not err, &c.

1. Do not attribute any moral evil or darkness to God It makes the Lord of glory worse than Beelzebub, &c. It attributes all wicked and impious thoughts to Deity. It makes the blessed Lord, who is the father of lights the fountain of darkness. No darkness or evil can proceed from him.

2. Do not attribute any good to any other being but Deity.

Whatever blessing you have received, it has all come from God, &c. All our influences proceed from God. This is an important truth. We never had one happy thought, but what proceeded from the father of lights’97the Deity.

3. Do not err in restricting the benevolence of Deity.

It is a blessed truth that the bounties of nature are free to all. God is not partial, nor a respecter of persons. There is no man that cannot be perfectly happy if he choose God for his portion.

4. Do not err in respect to your own nature.

Every good and every perfect gift cometh from God, and not from yourselves Within much evil remains, and there are many things which you have not yet obtained: you are not to be satisfied with those blessings which you already possess, but strive to possess still more.

5. We ought to be thankful to God for the blessings we enjoy.

Our blessings are more numerous than the stars of the firmament, or the sand on the sea shore. We ought to know them. Be thankful for them. What are we to return to God? We are to return a grateful heart, &c. And even then, as the poet hath said,’97

"Eternity’s too short,

To utter all his praise."

To him be glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS