Putting Jesus first. . . .

Christian books and Christian preachers say to put Jesus first. The Bible is clear; He is to be the priority of our lives, and telling others about Him is supposed to be a the top of our to-do list. It is easy to write about this, to discuss it with other believers, but doing it is more challenging.

My hubby shared Christ this week as easily as some people talk about the weather. The response was favorable. He was not ridiculed, a fear that keeps many mouths shut. I’m both pleased with his example and convicted that my obedience is more talk and less action.

Today’s reading offers a strong example and more conviction. Paul is in prison for preaching the gospel. He writes as I do but his words reveal that he ‘walks the talk’ and is doing what he tells others to do. These several verses reveal much about the priority of his life and that he is a teacher but also a doer…  

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:12–30)

Paul’s first thought is to reassure those worried about him. He sees God’s purpose in having him in prison. Others are now also boldly sharing Christ, even those who have selfish motives. His priority is knowing Jesus AND making Him known. This is happening.

Not only that the “whole imperial guard” and others also are aware of this priority — because Paul is not keeping his mouth shut in jail but joyfully letting everyone know of his confidence in the Lord. He knows that such a response to his situation is affecting them. Christians will suffer for such boldness but Christ will be glorified, even if persecution and death are the result.

Earlier, Peter denied Christ in fear for his life, but when filled with the Spirit, he was bold to proclaim Him, just as did Paul, and just as many do today in places where their hearers will abuse and even kill them. This begs the question: what keeps my mouth shut other than fear? And since God is not the author of fear, all my talk about any desire to depart and be with Christ needs to be matched with action that proves it.

PRAY: Jesus, my heart is too often fickle in its loyalty to You, in putting You first in my life. It is easier to say it than actually live it out like I should. I confess unwarranted reluctance to practice what I preach. Grant boldness that I might honor You.