"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and, comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. By His own will begat He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." James 1:17-18
God's people can gather in their minds much to be thankful for as they understand the above text. All gifts and spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3) are all given to us, by God, based on the one predominant fact, that we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6). God sovereignly bestows His gifts in our direction on purpose; His purpose in Christ. Everything that Christ is to us, for us, and in us is a gracious gift of God. God Almighty loved His people so much that He gave His only begotten Son so all that is required from them, or lacking in them is supplied in, by, and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith and repentance are spiritual blessings that are both gifts from God. Christ purchased these by His own blood and the Spirit distributes and applies these gifts to God's people. Many other gifts could be added to the list, but in closing let me mention a good gift that most would look on as not really something positive. That gift is suffering and persecution. Note in Philippians 1:29 "For unto you it is given to you in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake." Also, in Romans 8:28, the "all things" mentioned includes some things which are not real pleasant at the time they are experienced: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." In Genesis 50:20 God's inspired word shows an example of Romans 8:28 in action in the grace shown to Joseph and others: "But as for you, ye meant it for evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Let us not forget that God is wise in all His works and is gracious even. This can only be seen and understood by faith and not by sight. by Scott Price
