Consecration

Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Values and Relating with Him through the Lord’s Appointed Times of First-Fruits

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

First-Fruits was prescribed as time to express gratefulness to God for the fruits of our labor and His provision. It's how we acknowledge the LORD's headship over our life and stewardship before God. 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.

On another level, First-Fruits also serves as a shadow, pointing to the LORD’s resurrection as the first soul arisen in the newness of life; new life in Christ in earth and in heaven.

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

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

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

The LORD set an example of the type of character we should value and embrace.  He would have us continuously look inside and examine our character. As we desire to grow in character the Holy Spirit strengthens us to do so.  He is the Comforter who, if allowed, will transform your mind and heart, bringing it to conformity with the LORD’s character and nature. The more God's love softens our heart and the Holy Spirit transforms our nature, the more our values and world-view changes. We identify more intimately with God’s causes, 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.    

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

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

© 2006-10 Arise in Glory Ministries.   All rights reserved worldwide.


Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked JNT taken from the Jewish New Testament. Copyright © 1979 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. Scriptures marked NLT are taken from New Living Translation Holy Bible, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.