God With Us
December 14, 2024
"And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, … groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption … the redemption of our body."Romans 8:23
First fruits are the preview of an entire crop. For example, if you grow corn and the first ears harvested are delicious, then you know you have an outstanding crop of corn. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the first fruits, the foretaste, of all that we will someday become. Until then, our present existence is similar to the pains of labor before birth.
Do parents offer to show pictures of the labor and delivery process? Of course not. But they are quick to show pictures of their beautiful new baby. So as we groan now, having these first fruits of the Spirit, we’re looking forward to seeing the picture of our resurrected life with Christ in glory. Are the first fruits of God’s Spirit evident in your life?