yahweh

Have you ever noticed that almost everything in our world changes? Change is sometimes very difficult to embrace and often, even more difficult to accomplish. Clergyman Henry Ward Beecher put it this way:

Our days are a kaleidoscope. Every instant a change takes place. … New harmonies, new contrasts, new combinations of every sort. … The most familiar people stand each moment in some new relation to each other, to their work, to surrounding objects.

How many changes have you experienced in the last ten years, last year, last week, today? Certainly there are many realms of change . . . physical and spiritual, ideological and philosophical, likes and dislikes, mental and emotional, even family, relationships, careers, etc. Needless to say, change is an inevitable component of human existence, even if one doesn’t like it, works against it, or in denial, refuses to accept it.

Even though change is certain and unavoidable, that doesn’t make it all good or right, nor does it deem change all bad or evil. Some changes work in excellence (even though it may be extremely troublesome or painful), causing great improvements in one’s life, family, nation, business, organization, and/or ministry, while others seem to reap havoc, damage, and/or even destruction.

However, in a world and life of much and constant, inexorable change, only one thing escapes modification, alteration or transformation . . . the nature/character of our Lord. Scripture clearly declares God’s immutability in Malachi 3:6, as He clearly announces His own incomputable, invariable, inalterable, and unchangeable character:

For I, the Lord, do not change. (also I Samuel 15:29, James 1:17, Hebrews 6:18; 13:8)

In this Hebrew text, God chooses to call Himself, Yahweh . . . the covenant-name of God to the Hebrews (See Exodus 6:3), and a name which fully implies His immutable character and inalterable faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. In this case, because He is a God Who does not, and will not change, His people are not, and will not be destroyed (even though they without a doubt, absolutely deserved it). Thanks be to God for His invariable nature of grace and mercy towards His people, who are not without discipline, but certainly don’t get what’s fully deserved.

Now, consider this spin. God, Who is unchanging and unchangeable, created a world that is constantly being modified, and filled it with His most exalted and valued creation — humanity — who is constantly in a process of alteration and transformation. Those changes being wrought in Christ are excellent, but those produced by adaptation to our world’s thinking, philosophies, and self-proclaimed wisdom continuously harvest mayhem, injury, harm, devastation, and ruin.

As an example, I’m constantly amazed by all the “Christian” parents who completely ignore God’s instructions concerning appropriate discipline and sound (proven) principles for correcting their children. Then they wonder why their children are out-of-control, spoiled, disobedient, and disrespectful. They may pray 24/7 for their family and offspring, but if they discount and ignore His immutable truth, those prayers are simply a waste of words and breath.

How about “believers” who are gainfully employed and refuse to provide significant, consistent, sacrificial financial support for their church? The New Testament clearly teaches the God-ordained concept of giving (Did He not give His Son, did His Son not give His life?) as a significant part of Christian living. They may pray 24/7 for His financial blessing and help, but if His immutable truth is denied and ignored, or even discounted, those prayers are simply another waste of words and breath!

Ultimately, one’s unchangeable Lord is the active and effective change agent in a believer’s life Who designs, directs, and empowers significant spiritual modifications within His people . . . even complete emotional, as well as mental, alterations and healing. The definitive and obvious goal is the complete transformation of Christ’s followers, molding and shaping them into functional vessels of honor and glory for His purposes! What a calling — what a blessing! It’s almost incomprehensible to consider or grasp the fact that Christ changes us for the fulfillment of His immutable everlasting purposes.

As a result of God’s purpose in each and every one of His follower’s lives, believers are, without a doubt, challenged, as well as spiritually encouraged, and convicted to change. Consider these essential questions: Are you affirmatively willing to change? Are you passive about change? Are you persistently resistant to change? No matter what the answer, be confidently assured that your unchanging Lord is immutably committed to your spiritual, mental and emotional transformation! So one chooses, almost on a daily basis, to enthusiastically comply and embrace His move/work in one’s life, act nonchalantly about His purpose in you, or defiantly ignore/revolt.

Since I was 17 years old, my senior year in high school, I’ve been fully committed to Christ and serving Him. During these years, I’ve embraced His change. However, at times, I’ve also acted indifferently about His call, and even openly resisted spiritual, emotional, mental healing and transformation. I’ve been privileged to organize numerous ministries, serve in several others, and with the exception of just a few years in the construction business, been actively engaged in ministry for 40 years.

Here’s what I’ve (sometimes painfully) learned:

all change, personal or in a church/ministry, is good, as well as beneficial if initiated by the Lord.
if I will move beyond the past, what was, and fully grip the opportunity that lies ahead through change, it’s always proven to be forever better!

At West Oaks Fellowship, we are on the precipice of change, both as individual believers and our entire ministry. New vision is being birthed and the Lord is challenging us to step towards Him, fully embracing His improvements. Therefore, please always remember, change is inevitable, and our immutable Lord demands it of His followers. Will you join me in responding affirmatively and enthusiastically to all the transforming work He is bringing to our lives and our church?

— His & Yours, Pastor Frank

The Hebrew people, in acknowledgement of their God, YAHWEH (the one True God), offered the “first-fruits” offerings in gratitude and thankfulness in accordance with His abundant, plentiful provisions. According to Exodus 23:19; Numbers 15:20; 18:12; Deuteronomy 26:2; and Nehemiah 10:35; 10:37, these offerings were to include everything that was produced from their land or that was sustained as a result of the land. Items like grain and fruit were offered in their natural state, while others were prepared for consumption like musk, oil, flour, dough, etc.

You shall bring the very first of the first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God. — Exodus 34:26

The concept of “first-fruits” is also applied figuratively throughout the scriptures as well. In Jeremiah 2:3, Israel is called “re’shith” the “first-fruit” of His harvest in the original Hebrew text. Our New Testament employs the Greek word “aparche” translated “first-fruit” which is applied figuratively to several biblical/theological concepts.

Paul uses this word in Romans 16:5 concerning new believers, “Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert (“aparcheé” — “first-fruit”) to Christ from Asia.” The same is true concerning the household of Stephanas as the first believers from Achaia in I Corinthians 16:15.

In James 1:18 we find a reference to the first generation of Christian believers:

In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits (aparcheén) among His creatures.

A similar reference is made concerning Christ’s church in Thessalonica …

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning (aparcheén) for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. — II Thessalonians 2:13

The 144,000 Jewish witnesses raised up to testify concerning Christ’s Gospel in the last days during the tribulation are deemed “first-fruits” in Revelation 14:4-5:

These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits (aparcheé) to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

Consider Romans 8:23:

And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits (aparcheén) of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

In this passage, early Christians are depicted as the “first-fruits” of those that have been blessed and endowed with the unique incomparable gift of God’s Holy Spirit.

These selected verses all represent figurative uses of “first-fruits” in the biblical text. However, one of the most significant utilizations is found in I Corinthians 15:20-25 …

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits (aparcheé) of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits (aparcheé), after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.

Christ is the “first-fruit” of the resurrection! This precise application documents several theological/spiritual truths/perspectives/concepts.

1. There is resurrection of the dead, of which Christ is the first.

2. Just as humanity brought death into the world, Jesus Christ, the man/human being, brings life and resurrection.

3. The declaration “first-fruit” implies, in fact demands, the existence of a coming harvest, a gathering/bringing in of all that’s been produced.

4. While we, as believers are not “first-fruits,” we are part of the guaranteed harvest that follows (which is to come)!

As we quickly approach our Good Friday Communion Service and Resurrection (Easter) Sunday celebration, let us never forget the almost indescribable promise brought by “first-fruit”!

— His & Yours, Pastor Frank

Tag: yahweh

CHANGE

FIRST-FRUITS