“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 ESV).
James wrote to scattered Jewish believers who were enduring trials, temptations, and the danger of being “led away” by sin’s deadly deception. In the immediate context, he had described sin’s tragic progression: desire conceived gave birth to sin, and sin when fully grown brought forth death (1:15). Against this bleak background, James offered the brilliant hope of the gospel. He declared that God, of His own gracious will, had brought them forth, a deliberate reversal of sin’s deadly destiny. Whereas sin brought death, God gave them new life through Christ.
James explained that this new birth came “by the word of truth,” which is the gospel message that announces Christ’s saving work. This echoes the testimony of the apostle John, who wrote that believers are those “born… not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). John emphasized the divine origin of our spiritual birth by denying every human cause; James affirmed that same divine origin by declaring the positive cause—God’s own will communicated through His gospel Word. Together, they testify that regeneration is God’s sovereign act, not ours.
In this larger flow of James 1, this reminder of their new birth served as an anchor. Trials tested their faith (1:2–4). Temptations threatened their holiness (1:13–16). But James pointed them back to their identity: they had already been decisively transformed. They were no longer children of sin but children of God, the firstfruits of His new creation.
We need this reminder. When trials press in and temptations try to pull us back into old sinful habits, we can forget who we are. Yet James called us to remember that we have been born again by the word of truth. We are not defined by our former sinful desires. We are God’s firstfruits, His holy, consecrated people, the beginning of His new creation work. Therefore, let us receive the implanted Word daily, walk in the newness of our Spirit-given life, and resist the lies that would tempt us to be double-minded and doubt.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that You have brought us forth by Your own will through the Word of truth. Help us remember who we are in Christ. Strengthen us to resist temptation, persevere in trials, and live as Your firstfruits in this world. May Your gospel bear abundant fruit in us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.