GOD’S NATURE AS REVEALED BY THE APOSTLE JAMES
How often we quote the Apostle James as an antagonist to the ” once saved always saved” teaching.” Yet in his writings to Jewish believers who were dispersed among the Gentiles, he said:
“..God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth( He doesn’t find fault) not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
So God gives without finding fault! His nature is revealed.
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” James 1:13.
Another of God’s nature unveiled by the Apostle James- God is not the Author of your unpleasant experiences and trials. The Apostle James will put it in clear statement:
“Do not err( the word ‘err’ is translated from the Greek word- planao. and it means being led astray from the right understanding), 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. James 1:16-17
In essence, we must not attribute anything evil to God. This is something that the Old Testament never clearly portray about God. Reading the scriptures ( Genesis – Malachi), we see an angry God, a God who’s gifts are contingent on man’s moral performance. For example, compare Leviticus 26:3-4 and Matthew 5:43-45. The difference is obvious!
I submit to you out there that under the law God’s nature is concealed but in the Epistles God’s nature is undoubtedly revealed.
John Oseji
