Firstfruits and Blessings

 "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." James 1: 16-18

Deeper Reading: James 1:1-27 (whole chapter)

These three verse from James was part of an Advent Devotion that my closest friend and I are reading this month together. This is what I said after I read it: I have heard, and quoted, James 1:17 so often...but James 1:18? That [verse] I have glazed right over before now... I could say SO MUCH about this! I think the first thing that jumps out at me is that when read together, with verse 17, it seems to say that WE are good and perfect gifts from God. We are created in His image after all and He is perfect!

In Leviticus 23:9-14, God tells Moses how the Israelites are to honor Him with the firstfruits of their harvests. Firstfruits are an important theme throughout the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. The need for burnt sacrifices to God changed once we were given the New Covenant through Christ's death and resurrection. The need for providing our firstfruits to God is still a need, albeit more a spiritual one now - rather than a requirement.

In Romans 12:1-2 we are called to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice and to not be conformed to this world so we "may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." This is the change to the way we sacrifice to God under the New Covenant in Christ. What is pleasing to God now is offering ourselves as a living sacrifice...I take that to mean we ought to submit ourselves fully to God and His plans for our lives. It takes a lot of humility, an unshakeable and absolute trust in God, and it is a daily choice. We can't just pray it once and be good for the whole year or our whole lives. We will however have it become more of a habit the more we are actively seeking God in His Word and in prayer. 

In Genesis 12:2 we are told that God blesses His children so that we shall bless others. Blessed to be a blessing! What's another term we sometimes call blessings? Gifts! So friends, it would stand to reason that James 1:18 is telling us we are the gifts from God to the world. We are the firstfruits of His creation, gifted to the world to bless all we come in contact with. The best way to bless others is to show them love, to share God's love with them - in word and action - and to do it humbly, giving all the glory to God. 

It is God's will for us to be His firstfruits, His good gifts to the world. I don't know about you, but I find this to be so exciting. There is few better feelings than to be used by God to bless someone else, or multiple people. It is humbling. It is awe-inspiring. It is truly a blessing to be a blessing, and it's all possible because He first blessed us. Praise God, from whom ALL blessings flow!