Today, November 7 - James reminds us in the first part of chapter one that God has erected at least three barriers to keep us from yielding to temptations. In the first barrier, God says, "Look ahead and beware of judgment." (vs. 15) In the second barrier, God says "Look around and see how good I have been to you." (vs. 17) Today, we are going to look at the third barrier where God says, "Look within and realize that you have been born from above and possess the divine nature." James 1:18 "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." If we are believers we need to remember that we have two natures and they both come from a birth. Our first natural birth gives us a "fleshly sinful" nature. You don't have to teach children to be selfish, to lie, to fight, to steal, to do wrong. It just comes "naturally." Our second birth is spiritual (John 3) and it gives us a "divine" nature. This happens when we receive Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as our Lord and Savior. It was God who performed this miracle! "Of His own will He begot us..." (vs 18) John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Today, look within and make sure you have this "divine" nature." God bless!
