18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. -- James 1:18

The Purpose of God (James 1:18)

Today, we continue our journey, word by word, verse by verse through the book of James!

James 1:18 describes that the ultimate gift God gave us was new birth through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God's will or purpose is the cause of our regeneration or birth (By his choice) through the gospel message (the word of truth). The gospel is simply that Christ died for sinners and that whoever would repent and call upon the name of Jesus would be saved.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. -- 1 Peter 1:3-4

James states that those who have been saved would be a kind of "first fruits." To James' original audience, they were a picture or a guarantee of the harvest of Christians who were to come later.

3 Israel was holy to the Lord,
the firstfruits of his harvest. -- Jeremiah 2:3

In many ways, we are the harvest that James was speaking of. There are more in the harvest that this word of truth will bring about rescue and rebirth.

Today, may we rejoice in the new birth that we have through the gospel knowing that we and many others are the harvest that God promised long ago.