Contrast: born by the word of truth

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James 1:18

There is a contrast James is making in James 1:12-18 and verse 18 is the final point of this contrast. But it is important to see ALL of the explanation James makes. The author is contrasting the untried, unsaved sinner with the tried and born-again believer. His point is that for a believer, enduring trial will confirm a future glory God is bringing — the crown of life that God has promised those who love him (James 1:12).

This contrasts with what sin does to us. It is the opposite: sin brings death while salvation brings life. Sin brings temptations where we are lured and enticed by our own desires. We act wrongly on those desires and we sin. The final consequence of sin is death — separation from God (James 1:13-15).

We are warned that temptation and sin are deceptive. We are reminded that God instead brings “good and perfect” gifts to His children. He does not change, so we should remind ourselves, even in difficulties, that He does good things as the “Father of lights” (James 1:17) and He does not change. He wanted those trials to have a “full effect” on us so we can be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4).

This God has saved us to grow especially in trial to be more like Jesus. Hard times are His gifts if we will accept them. He has brought us forth by His Word. He has made us His own. We are His new creations. He wants, even in difficulties, for us to trust His Word, believe Him, and live new lives. We no longer have to give in to what sins lures us to do. We have new life. We should live that contrast in regular repentance and faith.