These two phrases mean basically the same thing. James uses them to emphasize that anything good that a person has comes from God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
This expression pictures God as an unchanging light, like the sun, moon, planets, and stars in the sky. This is in contrast to shadows here on earth that constantly change. AT: "God does not change. He is as as constant as the sun, moon, and stars in the sky, rather than like shadows which appear and disappear on earth" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
The true message of God. This is spoken of as if it were the means by which God "gave us birth." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
James is using the traditional Hebrew idea of firstfruits as a way to describe the value of the Christian believers to God. He implies that there will be many more believers in the future. AT: "so that we would be like an offering of firstfruits" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])