“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:18-19).
The Bible is a most dazzling combination of soaring, heavenly truths and practical, down-to-earth applications. James 1:18-19 is one such example of this incredible blend of the glorious and pragmatic.
Christians are “the cream of the crop” (see yesterday’s post). Brought forth by the word of truth in regeneration and privileged with all spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3), Christians are sons and heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Of all the creatures in heaven and on earth which the Father of lights has created, none is equal in rank or privilege as this beloved body, the redeemed. What a glorious truth!
So then, my beloved brethren, what is the earthly application of this heavenly truth? “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”.
Because the word of truth has such incomparable power, the only proper response the cream of the crop ought to have to it is to be eager to hear it, slow to argue with it, and slow to become offended by it.
Great blessings inherently have great responsibilities.
Heavenly truths have earthly applications.
