God and Christ must be first in our lives, and not second. Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Our number one priority in this short life must be to go to Heaven or otherwise we most likely will not go there. Jesus says, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). If one doesn’t go to Heaven, there is only one other place and that is the eternal torments of Hell. “For what will it profit a men if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul” (Mark 8:36).
We cannot put other people and other things ahead of our service and worship to God and Christ and still be pleasing to Them. They will not accept second best. Jesus says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37-38). Jesus says the only way we can be worthy of God and Him is, ”And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). We are to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). God is only “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6), by putting Him first. Are we really putting God and Christ first in our lives? Judgment Day will be too late to find out if we haven’t.
—Ron Boatwright; http://www.netbiblestudy.net
