Whom Do You Put First?

Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24b).

If most of us are truly honest, when the facade is stripped away, we really live for ourselves. Taking care of ourselves and those we care about is our priority, but, as Christians, it shouldn't be. The first mandate in the Ten Commandments tells us, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matthew 20:37). Are we our own gods, or is it money, possessions, hobbies, power, or something else? Are you putting God first and living for Him? Do you love Him the way Jesus commanded?

"The church must get back to influencing society for God, but in order to do this we must get back to living for God ourselves" (David Fioraza, The Cost of Our Silence, kindle location 1289).
.

Living for God requires a total surrender to him, and this is hard for us. We like to think we are in control, but, no matter what we think, God is always in control. It comes down to a trust issue. If you truly trust in God, then you know His goodness and that He always wants what's best for you. Trusting in God is a choice. If you choose to do so, He will grow your faith, trust, and love. The more you love Him and others, the more faith and trust you will have. The more faith and trust you have, the more you will love Him. It is a wonderful cycle that allows for total surrender.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 5:33).

The percentage of Christians is dwindling in the United States. Our country needs bold Christians who take their faith seriously and put God above everything else. We need to be sure we pass down a strong faith to the following generations. The United States needs to make itself "one nation under God" again, and this needs to begin with each one of us. So, whom do you really live for?

____________________________________