He is Number One

An early call took me out this morning before breakfast, before my hair was dry, before I picked up my Bible. On my way to the destination, I thought about the importance of putting Jesus Christ first, then laughed at that terminology. He IS first, King of kings, Lord of lords, Master of the universe. He saved me and keeps me. The term putting Him first is like personally putting our football team in first place when they are already in first place. My words about their standing have no bearing on reality. My words about Jesus Christ have no bearing on who He is because He IS who He is.

After a delightful diversion from all things Friday morning, I’m back at my desk and reading foundational truth. These words are the reason that I can say Jesus Christ is paramount, number one. My saying that it is so does not make it so, however. What He is and what He has done — the truth about Him makes it so.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:6–11)

Salvation is true and real and mine because of what Jesus did. It isn’t about what I did or did not do. He died on the cross for my sins more than 2000 years ago, well before I was a bump in my mother’s belly, well before I realized the truth of it and believed it. He died on the cross, shedding His blood for me while I was still a sinner, reconciling me to God before I confessed and repented of my sin. He reconciled me to God before I acknowledged that I was under His wrath or even realized my lost state.

Salvation is a done deal, not because of me knowing it, or figuring it out, or even because of me believing it. It is finished because Jesus did it. He died for me. He lives for me. Of course He is number One, whether I decide He belongs there or not.

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Oh Lord God, You are the light of my life. I am so amazed at what You have done, for me and for every sinner. Salvation is secured, a gift from God that cannot be earned or deserved, only received and appreciated. You are exalted and occupy the highest place, not because I put You there, but that is where You belong. You are number One, for all time and for all people. Be exalted, Oh Lord, my God, be exalted!