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"Of His own will He brought us forth..."

Text: James 1:18

THE IDEA OF “FIRSTFRUITS”

James added this thought to the idea of being blessed with good gifts from the Lord.

“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 1:18

1. “Of His own will”

a) God’s will was involved.

b) God’s will is always something that is within His divine sovereignty.

c) It is not determined or affected by external circumstances.

d) God’s will is truly a profound concept.

2. “He brought us forth”

a) At first glance it may seem that James was referring to creation.

b) On closer examination, this is a reference to our salvation.

3. “By the word of truth”

a) We are begotten again by the word of God.

b) James called it “the word of truth”.

i) By His word faith is generated.

ii) By the Word of God we understand God’s salvation plan.

iii) By His word we are regenerated and we have new life in Christ Jesus.

4. “That we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures”

a) God is the Creator of all life.

i) His creation may indeed be called “creatures”.

ii) This word is not to be read as a derogatory term.

b) The believer who is born again is described as “the firstfruits”.

i) God gives to all His children wonderful gifts.

ii) They are meant to reflect the work of God.

iii) We are His workmanship.

iv) We display what God can do in all believers.

v) Firstfruits prefigure what the harvest would be like.