How does being "firstfruits to God" influence our priorities and decisions today? Our Identity as Firstfruits Revelation 14:4: “They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” • In Scripture, “firstfruits” were the very first and best portion of a harvest, set apart for God. • By calling believers “firstfruits,” God declares that we belong to Him first—our value and purpose are wrapped up in His plan, not our own. • This identity reframes every priority: we are the Lord’s unique possession, destined to reflect His holiness and devotion in a world that runs after lesser things. The Old Testament Picture • Leviticus 23:10—first sheaf brought to the priest: God received the first and guaranteed the rest. • Proverbs 3:9—“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest.” Giving God first place was an act of trust and worship. • The principle: what is offered first shapes everything that follows. Our “first” influences how we spend time, handle resources, and treat people. Christ, the Ultimate Firstfruits • 1 Corinthians 15:20—“Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” • Because Jesus is the firstfruits of resurrection, our future is secure. We live now in light of a guaranteed harvest of eternal life. • James 1:18—God “chose to give us birth… that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.” Our new birth mirrors Christ’s resurrection power; we are the preview of a redeemed creation. Priorities Molded by Firstfruit Living • God gets the first claim on every decision—finances, schedule, career, relationships. • Stewardship over ownership: nothing truly “belongs” to us; we manage what is His. • Holiness over compromise: like the undefiled virgins of Revelation 14:4, we pursue purity because we’re already set apart. • Worship over worry: the firstfruits offering was a declaration of trust; we resist anxiety by giving God our “first” and believing He will provide the rest (Matthew 6:33). Daily Decisions Shaped by Our Calling 1. Time – Begin the day acknowledging the Lord (Psalm 5:3). – Prioritize gathering with believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). 2. Finances – Budget with giving at the top, not the leftovers (2 Corinthians 9:7). – Invest in eternal purposes rather than fleeting luxuries (Matthew 6:19-21). 3. Relationships – Choose companions who help you “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Revelation 14:4). – Serve others first, reflecting Christ’s self-giving love (Philippians 2:3-5). 4. Purity – Guard eyes, ears, and heart; refuse cultural defilement (1 Peter 1:15-16). – Practice repentance quickly, keeping the “firstfruits” heart clean before God (1 John 1:9). 5. Mission – View workplaces, neighborhoods, and schools as fields where God wants a harvest (Matthew 9:37-38). – Speak the gospel naturally; firstfruits are evidence of the greater ingathering to come. Living Sacrifices in a Modern World Romans 12:1 calls us to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” Sacrifice is no longer a temple ritual; it is the everyday presentation of self. Being firstfruits transforms the ordinary—commutes, emails, household chores—into acts of worship because they are consciously offered up first to God. Assurance that Fuels Obedience • Romans 8:23 speaks of having “the firstfruits of the Spirit.” The Spirit within us is a down payment guaranteeing the full inheritance. • Confidence in God’s future harvest empowers bold, sacrificial choices now; nothing given to Him is ever lost (1 Corinthians 15:58). Summary Snapshot Being firstfruits means we are: • Claimed—God’s possession. • Consecrated—set apart for holy use. • Confident—assured of a coming harvest. Therefore, our priorities align with God’s kingdom, and our decisions—large and small—are made with His honor as the first and highest aim. |
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