Firstfruits

18 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).


Do you have a garden at your house? Or have you ever been to a farm? Gardeners and farmers often watch how their fruits and vegetables are growing in the middle of July. This is usually when the garden or farm plot begins to produce food to eat.

This first crop of food is called, firstfruits. If the firstfruits look good, that means there’s more to
come! More and better veggies are on the way! Yum!

James talks about God’s work of salvation in this way. He says that his people are a kind of
firstfruits. The fact that God has chosen to save us through his powerful word of truth, the Gospel, means that there is way more good stuff to come. We are saved today, but there is way more saving to do! In fact, the whole world (us and everything else) is going to be redeemed and remade for his glory in the New Heavens and New Earth. Isn’t this good news!?!

The fact that we know, love, and serve Jesus today as his followers means that one day every
knee will bow and tongue confess that he is Lord! The lion will one day lay down with a lamb and there will be no more tears, or crying, or pain. The old days will forever be gone and a new and better day will just roll on and on into another new and better day for God’s people to enjoy God, each other, and creation.

Read Romans 8:22-25
• These verses speak of the “firstfruits of the Spirit”. What do you think that means? (Having the Spirit now points to the time later when we will be fully and completely redeemed when Jesus returns and makes all things right.)

• These verses also speak a lot about hope. If we have the firstfruits of the Spirit, why should we have hope?

Prayer
Our Father, thank you that you have given us the promise that you will one day make all things right.We long for that day! May it come soon! Help us to have patience and hold on in hope for that day. We rejoice now that we are your children and one day will know that more fully and completely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.