Putting Jesus First
One of the things that many of us do as Christians is prioritize Jesus being first in our lives. It sounds right. If feels like that is the way we should view Him and then everything else in our lives.
One of the ways I’ve seen this play out is when people say something like, “God is first, family is second, and then my work is third.” This is the way that they are prioritizing their life. God is the utmost priority. Family is super important, but God will always come before them. Work pays the bills, but God and family must be prioritized above a job.
Another way I’ve seen this philosophy emerge is through the statement, “I am second.” It even became a movement or an organization or something. It may still exist. I don’t know.
The statement is meant to convey that God is the first priority in our life, and we are to put ourselves behind Him in second place.
But is this the best way to view the Christian life? Are we supposed to divide our lives into compartments with Jesus being one of those compartments?
I don’t think so.
You and Jesus are One
The moment you place your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, your sins are completely forgiven and you enter into a spiritual union with Him.
Paul says in Galatians 2:20 that he no longer lives but that Christ lives in Him. He tells us in Colossians 3:3 that we died and that our lives are now hidden with Christ in God.
Paul even writes this in 1 Corinthians 6:17…
17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
You are one with Jesus.
To say that Jesus is first and you are second is to deny that you and He are one in spirit.
Now, I know what people mean when they use this phrase. They are trying to say that His desires should come before their own desires.
However, this denies that you have become a new creation with new desires that are consistent with His desires.
When the Spirit was speaking through Ezekiel, He inspired Him to write these prophetic words about the finished work of Christ:
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
(Ezekiel 36:26)
If you are in Christ, you have been given a new heart. You have new desires at the core of your being that are consistent with God’s will for your life.
Therefore, I think the way to live the Christian life is not to say “I am second,” but rather, “I am one with Christ.” He lives in you and you live in Him.
Don’t live your life as if you and Jesus are separated. Live in your oneness with Him.
Jesus Doesn’t Want To Be A Compartment
To say things like, “God is first, family is second, and work is third,” compartmentalizes Jesus. Jesus becomes a compartment in your life. Family is a compartment. Work is a compartment.
In Philippians 1:21, Paul says “For me to live is Christ.” Christ is your life. He is your life at all times and in all areas of your life.
In other words, Jesus is not a compartment. You don’t set Him aside when you begin working or spending time with your family.
Because you and Jesus are one, He expresses His life through you in your work. He expresses His life through you in your marriage and through your parenting.
You have a right understanding of priorities when you know that Jesus animates your activity at work, home, and in all areas of your life.
Conclusion
Putting Jesus in first place can lead you to a misunderstanding of the Christian life. You are one with Him. He is not a compartment among other compartments in your life. Jesus is your life, and He animates every place in your life.