Firstfruits of the Spirit

 

… we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit …

—from Romans 8:23

The firstfruits, that is the very first part of the harvest, symbolizes the best part that the grower has set apart for a special use. In the Old Testament, God asked His chosen people to set aside the firstfruits as an offering to Himself. In the New Testament, we ones whom God has chosen to belong to Himself have become the firstfruits of the New Covenant. Notice what the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:23:

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Not only has God forgiven our sins, through the blood of Jesus, God has given those of us that He has chosen the indwelling presece of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we become the firstfruits of the salvation that has come to us through God’s precious one and only Son, Jesus. We have a special place in God’s heart. He has given us the right to become the children of God. (please see John 1:11-13)

As we begin a new day, whenever we fall prey to thinking that we have no value or worth, we need to remember that, in God’s economy, we are His firstfruits. We are special. We have inherent value and worth because God has made us in His image and because He has specifically chosen us to belong to Himself.

 

_{Copyright © 2026 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Waiting Expectantly

 

The creation waits in eager expectation …

—from Romans 8:19

There is so much talk about “climate change” today. Yes, of course, historically the earth experiences almost constant and gradual fluctuations in normal temperatures, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wave heights, ocean depths, and so forth. The huge undecided question—and, contrary to the media, lack of scientific certainty—is whether or not human activity has any profoundly important impact on these changes in climatic conditions.

(As you may well know, I do not personally believe that human activity has contributed significantly to “climate change.” I believe it is the height of arrogance for humans to think that they have such power over God’s creation. Thus, I am not a so-called “denier.” Rather, I am a “rejecter” of the hyperbolic clamor that touts anthropogenic [human-caused] climate change.)

From a study of the account in the Book of Genesis that describes Adam’s sin and the exile of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, we do recognize that the fall of humans into sin caused an effect on all of the systems of the earth and on all living things. Likewise, the coming of God’s one and only Son to earth as a human baby, so that He could grow up and eventually die on a cruel Roman cross of torture to pay the penalty for the sins of humankind, also has had a profound effect on all of the systems of the earth and on all living things. The Apostle Paul writes about this issue with these words, found in Romans 8:19:

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

When will the “sons of God” become revealed? At that time, in the future, when Jesus returns to earth again, and the new heaven and the new earth appear. We Christians often refer to this time as “that Great Day” or “the Day of the Lord” or “the Second Coming.” This will be a time when the redemption of the systems of the heavens and the earth—and the redemption of all those whom God has called to Himself—becomes fully revealed.

As we begin a new day, we can look forward, with hopeful expectation, that Jesus will return in the next instant of time. We can also determine to live our lives as if His return will not happen for another thousand years. In this way, we will remain faithful stewards of God and humbly serve as His ambassadors to a troubled world.

 

_{Copyright © 2026 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

In Our Midst

 

For where two or three come together …

—from Matthew 18:20

One of the greatest frustrations I must deal with in my life comes from the fact that very few of my fellow “Christ’s-ones” feel the same strong compulsion that I do to faithfully attend church services every week. I realize that my circumstances are somewhat unique: I have no children or grandchildren, I do not own a vacation home, I do not travel for business or pleasure, I have nothing else on Sundays that draws my attention away from church attendance, and I grew up in a household where my father absolutely insisted that we always, without fail, attend church on Sundays.

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, prevented us, as a family, from attending services whenever the doors of the church were open. This meant that we attended Sunday school, Sunday morning Worship, Sunday evening Worship, and Wednesday night Prayer Meeting. As a teenager, I also attended weekly youth group meetings, as well as the early morning weekly prayer times and Saturday night rallies of Youth for Christ International. I feel that, growing up, the discipline of always attending church services was an important part of my spiritual journey of Christian spiritual formation.

Some would say that I am an annoying nag about the matter of weekly church attendance. They would say that just because I feel so strongly about this subject does not make me correct in my insistance that everyone attend his or her home church faithfully each Sunday. And yet, I truly believe that one of the greatest joys for a person, who follows the Lord Jesus Christ, is that time when he or she gathers with fellow believers for worship, praise, prayer, thanksgiving, the teaching of God’s written Word, and the fellowship with like-minded individuals. Part of the blessing of such times is the promise that Jesus gives us, found in Matthew 18:20:

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

When we believers gather together, Jesus is present with us. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in the hearts and minds of each believer, fills the space with God’s glory. Christ comes and fellowships with us, even as we fellowship with each other. That’s the reason why spending time together becomes so important to followers of Jesus. We must not choose other activities, or choose other allegiances, that will take the place of the time we spend together as believers in our home churches.

When you next have such an opportunity to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ, make the right choice. Consciously and purposefully choose to take the opportunity to meet with your fellow believers. If you do so, you will reap an enormous reward.

 

_{Copyright © 2026 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Comforted by God's Presence

 

Even though I walk through the valley …

—from Psalm 23:4

A dear friend of mine, now with the Lord, often spoke these words:

“Living life each day is not for the faint of heart.”

What my friend said is all too true. When we walk along the road of life, there are inevitably times on our journey when we come to some dark places. We may hesitate to enter and move forward. But, the circumstances of our lives push us onward, taking very hesitant and tentative steps. Then, of a sudden, we remember that God has promised to go with us. As King David wrote of God in Psalm 23:4:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

As we begin a new day and yet find ourselves in a dark place, let’s remember that we are not alone. In fact, we are never alone. God has promised to go with us. He will provide illumination for our pathway and give us courage to push on through the darkness and out into the never-failing light.

 

_{Copyright © 2026 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Better Than Gold or Silver

 

How much better to get wisdom than gold …

—from Proverbs 16:16

Have you noticed the increase in television ads for the purchase of gold and silver? Can you imagine having a large safe in your house or apartment that contains gold or silver bars or gold or silver coins? Would you buy a German Shepherd dog to help guard your safe? Would you install a sophisticated intrusion alarm system? Or, would you move your gold and silver to a safety deposit box in the nearest bank? Having a great wealth is not only an enormous responsibility, it can also be a great deal of hassle.

Fortunately, I have so little money that I never will have to worry about any of those things. But, I do know there are some things in this life that are worth far more than gold or silver. King Solomon agrees with my sentiment and wrote these words, found in Proverbs 16:16:

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

As we begin another new day, let’s take time to ask God for the gift of His wisdom and His understanding. The Scripture teaches us that He will gladly grant our request. Nothing pleases Him more than when we turn to Him and ask for worthy gifts. And certainly, there are few gifts as worthy as wisdom and understanding. Just imagine how possessing these God-given gifts might change our lives in so many positive ways.

 

_{Copyright © 2026 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

No Deliberate Sinning

 

What then? Shall we sin …

—from Romans 6:15

If you wake up in the morning, begin the routine of your day, and intentionally plan to sin that day, please stop. That’s right. I said: “Please, stop!” It doesn’t matter how much you enjoy a particular sin. It doesn’t matter if you think that sin really isn’t all that important. If you are one who follows Jesus, then deliberate sinning should not be a part of your life.

Will you ever be absolutely free from sin as long as you live in this current world? No. Why? Because we have inherited the sin nature from Adam, passed down to us through our parents. We will never be totally free from the alluringly draw of sin. But, we can control the degree to which we allow ourselves to sin on purpose. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:15:

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

Jjust because Jesus died to forgive our sins, we do not have a license to continue sinning. Yes, our sins are covered by His blood. But, that is no reason to set about to sin each day. In fact, as we begin another day, we do well if we determine, as much as we can by relying on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to set aside the sins that so easily entrap us. The Holy Spirit will help us avoid deliberate sins, if only we would allow Him to do so.

 

_{Copyright © 2026 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A New Master

 

For sin shall not be your master …

—from Romans 6:14

Who’s your boss? Not in the sense of the person you report to at your place of employment. But, I’m asking:

“Who rules your life? Who controls what you do, what you say, even what you think?”

You may answer by saying:

“Why, I do! I am in control of my life. I do what I want, say what I want, and think what I want.”

But, do you? Do you really? For example:

• If you are a man who sees an unusually pretty woman walk past you, when you look at her, what thoughts pop into your mind? Later, when you see her again from a distance, what does you mind recall about your first reaction to seeing her?
  
  
• If you are a woman and you see another woman walk by in an outfit that really makes a fashion statement, when you turn to look at her, what thoughts immediately jump to the forefront of your thinking? How long do you stare at her, taking in every detail? Do you imagine what you might look like in that same outfit? Do you wonder what that outfit might cost? Do you wish you had seen it first and that you were the one parading around town looking so special?
  
  

In both of these examples, the power in control of our natural minds is sin. Yes, sin. Why?

• In the first example, the sin of lust has prompted certain thoughts that most men will never acknowledge, but which are nearly always present. In fact, most men have learned to delight in those thoughts, cherish them, and even encourage them. Some men even believe that, if they did not have those thoughts, they wouldn’t be a normal man. The sin of lust is the all-pervasive and most commonly powerful sin in the life of a human male.
  
  
• In the second example, the sin of covetousness has prompted certain thoughts that most women will never acknowledge, but which are nearly always present. In fact, most women have learned to delight in those thoughts, cherish them, and even encourage them. Many women believe that, if they did not have those thoughts, they wouldn’t be a normal woman. The sin of covetousness is the all-pervasive and most commonly powerful sin in the life of a human female.
  
  

In each example, sin is in control of our minds and hearts. We were born with a sin nature, inherited from our parents, who inherited it all the way back to Adam and Eve. That sin nature seeks to control every aspect of our lives. But, there is good news. The Apostle Paul wrote these words, found in Romans 6:14:

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

With the coming of Jesus, through His birth, life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, He conquered sin, death, and Satan. Christ won the victory, paid the penalty for our sins, set us free from sin’s control of our lives, and vouchsafed our place with Him for all eternity.

As we begin a new day, we can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us away from sin. We can set aside these normally pervasive sins and embrace a totally new way of life—a life of freedom and victory. Thanks be to our God, who has given us the victory through our precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

_{Copyright © 2026 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}