20240121

first of the harvest

James 1:16-18 (JDV)

James 1:16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:18 By his own plan, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.

first of the harvest

James had addressed his readers as the twelve tribes planted everywhere. Now he tells them that God is the one who planted them where they were — and it was not a mistake. Their location might mean suffering in this life, even premature death from God’s enemies. But they are where they are because of the plan of the Father of Lights. The one who created the light-bearing bodies in the sky has a purpose for them. He also has a purpose for planting believers throughout the planet. We are a kind of first-fruits. That is also a planting image. The first-fruits were the first of the harvest. God has a plan to renew the earth, and he begins by renewing us. His renewed universe will be filled with creatures and living things that reflect his holiness. He gave us rebirth by his accurate word so that we could mark the beginning of that restoration.