In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, the concept of putting God first can seem challenging. Yet, for many, the decision to seek His kingdom, obey His commands, and bask in His love forms the foundation of a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Seeking His Kingdom
Putting God first means prioritising His kingdom above all else. It involves aligning our goals, values, and actions with His will. Seeking His kingdom requires a shift in perspective – from focusing solely on earthly desires to investing in eternal treasures. Jesus emphasised this principle when He said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).
Seeking God's kingdom involves daily surrender, prayer, and a commitment to live according to His teachings. It means recognizing His sovereignty and trusting His plans, even when they diverge from our own. By seeking His kingdom first, we acknowledge that our ultimate fulfilment lies in Him alone.
Obeying Him
Obedience to God is not merely compliance with a set of rules; it is a demonstration of love and reverence for Him. The Bible is replete with exhortations to obey God's commands, knowing that obedience leads to blessing and spiritual abundance. Jesus affirmed the importance of obedience when He said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15, NKJV).
Obeying God involves a heart transformation that leads to actions consistent with His character. It means walking in integrity, loving our neighbours as ourselves, and extending grace and forgiveness to others. While obedience may sometimes be challenging, it is ultimately an expression of trust in God's wisdom and goodness.
Experiencing His Love
At the core of putting God first is the profound realisation of His unconditional love for us. God's love transcends human understanding – it is sacrificial, unfailing, and inexhaustible. The apostle John eloquently describes this love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, NKJV).
Experiencing God's love transforms our lives from the inside out. It heals our wounds, restores our brokenness, and imbues us with a sense of purpose and belonging. Knowing that we are unconditionally loved by the Creator of the universe empowers us to love others extravagantly and live boldly for His glory.
Believing in Him
1.Faith in His Identity: Believing in Christ means accepting Him as the Son of God, who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again.
2.Surrender to His Lordship: Believing in Christ requires surrendering control of our lives to Him. It's acknowledging His authority and submitting to His lordship in every area – our thoughts, actions, and decisions. As Lord, Christ guides and directs our paths, leading us into a life of obedience and discipleship.
3.Personal Relationship: Belief in Christ is not just an intellectual assent but a personal relationship. It's knowing Him intimately, communing with Him in prayer, studying His Word, and relying on His Spirit for guidance and strength. Through this relationship, believers experience His love, grace, and presence in their lives.
4.Transformation of Life: True belief in Christ results in a transformed life. It's evident in the way believers love God and others, live with integrity and compassion, and pursue righteousness and holiness. Belief in Christ empowers us to live as new creations, reflecting His character and glorifying Him in all we do.
Jesus is the perfect example of what it looks like to put God first. From the moment of His birth, He was fully surrendered to the Father’s will. Even when it meant suffering and dying on the cross, he remained faithful to His calling. His whole life was a living example of what it means to prioritize God above all else. And as his followers, we are called to do the same.
We can follow His example by living lives of service to others, and spending time in prayer and worship. Just as Jesus' life was grounded in the Father’s will, so should ours be.
In today’s society I think we are loosing the meaning of what it means to be a believer. We should strive to be like Christ and not just believe in Him for the reward of Heaven.Jesus taught us to seek the Kingdom of God above all else
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 NLT
This verse is a reminder that putting God first should be our highest priority in life. In this verse, Jesus tells us to seek the Kingdom of God above all else. This means that we should put our focus and attention on living for God, and not on worldly pursuits. We should strive to live in accordance with God's will, and seek His guidance in all things. If we do this, Jesus promises that He will provide for our needs. We don't need to worry about material things, or our own desires, because God will take care of us. All we need to do is put Him first.Lately, we've been learning a lot about God and what it means to love Him. One thing we've come to understand is that obeying God is an essential part of loving Him. But what exactly does it mean to obey God? We believe it means to follow His commandments and live a life that reflects His teachings, just as Jesus did. Jesus was tempted and faced struggles like us, but He chose to obey God instead of giving in to temptation. He set an example for us to follow. We all make mistakes, but what matters is our willingness to try.
In conclusion, putting God first entails seeking His kingdom, obeying His commands, and revelling in His boundless love. It is a journey of surrender and devotion, marked by a deepening intimacy with the One who loved us before we even knew Him. As we prioritise God above all else, we discover that He is the source of true fulfilment and joy, both now and for eternity.
We want to encourage you to take a few moments each day to pray and ask God to guide you on the path He has set for you. It's easy to get caught up in the demands of daily life and forget to seek God's guidance. But by pausing and inviting God into your day, you can better resist evil temptations and follow the example of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
