Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Value of Consecration and Relating with Him through the Lord’s Feast of Firstfruits

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

God appointed the Feast of Firstfruits as a special time of consecration or dedication. First of all, it helps us acknowledge gratefulness for God’s provision. In addition, it reveals the fruits of our labor as we consecrate our time and efforts to God.  Furthermore, it’s how we acknowledge the Lord’s headship over our life.

Consequently, Firstfruits serves to illustrate our stewardship before God. How so? This appointed time also established a way to examine the first fruits of the crop to test the quality of the harvest. If the first fruits were good and therefore blessed, the rest would likewise be blessed. So it serves in a greater way to help us measure the value of our efforts.

On another level, Firstfruits also serves as a shadow, pointing to the Lord’s resurrection as the first soul arisen in the newness of life.

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.  (1 Corinthians 15:20-24 NLT)

RELEVANCE

So in identifying with His resurrection, we are, therefore, elevated to a new spiritual state; “from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).

Consecration, therefore, relates to how we value our relationship with God; specifically this new state of belonging to the Lord. It’s how we receive the love and grace of God and express loyalty and faithfulness to God.

The Lord set an example of the type of character we should value and embrace.  He would have us receive the pour of His love through the Holy Spirit. In addition, His grace enables us to continuously look inside and examine our character. So as we desire to grow in character the Holy Spirit strengthens us to do so.

Truly, He is the Comforter who, if allowed, will transform your mind and heart. The Holy Spirit brings your heart and mind into conformity with the Lord’s character and nature. So the more you embrace consecration, God’s love softens your heart and the Holy Spirit transforms your nature. Furthermore, your values and world-view align more closely with God. As a result, we identify more intimately with God’s causes. In addition, we see more of God’s perspectives and truly become more concerned with what the Lord referred to as the weightier matters; justice, mercy, and faith.

Furthermore, your values and world-view align more closely with God. As a result, you identify more intimately with God’s causes. In addition, you see more of God’s perspectives and truly become more concerned with what the Lord referred to as the weightier matters; justice, mercy, and faith. Through such a strengthened posture, you position yourself to receive more of God’s blessings.

REFLECT AND RELATE

In what ways do you submit to the Lord’s headship, allowing Him to have authority in your life?

How do you dedicate the first fruits of your labors to God?

What are some ways by which you can demonstrate greater loyalty and faithfulness towards God?

REFERENCES

Psalm 26:1-12; Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:4; Hebrews 4:1-16; Hebrews 12:14-15; Matthew 7:21; 1 John 3:1-3; Galatians 5:22

NEXT STEPS

Vertical movement: As you embrace God’s value of consecration, the Holy Spirit draws you deeper in God. As a result, you can more easily relate and identify with the One who said, “I Am the Door of the Sheep.”

Horizontal movement: The more you see and appreciate the value of consecration, the more you experience the manifold dimensions the Holy Spirit; your Comforter and Teacher.

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