Firstfruits of The Spirit

"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:16-25 ESV

Hope is a beautiful thing. God issued the decree of death to Adam in hope. The hope was based on Christ's death, planned before the foundation of the world, and that people would take the way given to them out of the grip of evil. In would be an end of madness and a new beginning for every willing participant involved.

God did the hard thing... but He did it in hope.

We often groan but we do it having 'the firstfruits of the Spirit' if we know Christ. The first fruits are that first and best part of the harvest given to God before any person partook of the rest of it.

Grace is God's first and best given to a hungry world before the hunger is yet satisfied with the promise that it soon will be satisfied. We are God's firstfruits. The cross will heal the world. The stripes on Christ's back are the proof that man and creation will one day live free of evil and sickness. His blood shed means that no one else will be judged for sin.

The Spirit in us that produces hope will also produce patience. That's good because we are going to need it. Lot's of it.

As we know from our relationship with God to date... God has no shortage of patience. He is patient with us and He will give patience and longsuffering to us.