We are now into 2023. I wish you a happy New Year!
1 Jan 2023. This is a special day. It is special because it is the first day of the year, the first day of the month and the first day of the week - Sunday. The last time this happened was in 2017 and the next time will be in 2034.
It is certainly a good opportunity to share something from God’s Word on the first day of the year. As we begin the New Year, each of us is given a new chance for a fresh start. What I intend to do in this article is to remind ourselves of some important things which we know, like what Peter did to his readers, “Yes, I think it is right … to stir you up by reminding you” (2 Pet. 1:13).
What are these important things? They touch on “first”, things that we need to do first for they are important and demand that we prioritize them in our lives.
1. The First and Great Commandment
After Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees came together. Then one of them, an expert in the law, wanted to test Jesus. He asked Jesus, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment” (Matt. 22:36-38). Notice that Jesus said our love for God must be totally devoted –“with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” 1 John 5:2-3 tell us that “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” Love makes obedience to God’s commandments possible as they are not burdensome.
Our love for God must not be an outward expression only, but rather from within us. Our faith works through love, that is, our faith is expressed through love (Gal. 5:6).
Are we willing to sacrifice all that we have to dedicate ourselves to God? Half-hearted dedication on our part is not acceptable at all. Paul says, “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11, NKJV). In other translations, we read, “Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord” (GWT). “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (NLT).
Since God is our Creator, we must worship and serve Him and put Him first in our lives. Maybe there are other things in our lives that prevent us from serving Him. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt. 6:24). Jesus’ point is this: If God is our master then we should not allow material possessions or other things to interfere with our service to Him. On the other hand, if there are other things or people that have influence over us on how we make decisions or choose our priorities, then they are our masters.
To conclude, when we do not put God first in our lives, then we are actually not serving him. Will God take second place other than first place in our lives? Surely not! If we put God second place in our lives, then in effect, we hate Him and despise Him. We can’t serve both God and mammon.
2. Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness
After teaching His disciples not to worry about their physical needs, namely, food, drink and clothing, He then concluded by saying that they should serve God. He said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). We have become so familiar with this passage that somehow we could have missed its significance. The passage highlights what our top priority is. It is clear that spiritual matters take priority over material things. The kingdom of God refers to His rule in our lives. Those who have submitted to the rule of Christ are those in His church – His kingdom. If we seek the rule of God, then we will serve Him faithfully as a member of the local church and be fervent in the work of the local church. If we seek God’s righteousness, then our conduct must be right and we must have a right relationship with Him. We are right with God when we have repented of our sins and confessed them (1 John 1:9). If we have not put God and His kingdom first in our lives, then now is a good time to do so. Is there anything more important than your worship to God, studying His word and service to Him?
3. Gave Themselves First to the Lord
In 2 Cor. 8:1-7, the apostle Paul says that the Macedonian Christians gave their support to him. They were very generous even though they were living in great poverty by giving freely and beyond their ability. How they were able to do so sacrificially is explained by Paul, “They first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God” (2 Cor. 8:5). It was their dedication to the Lord Jesus and their loyalty to Paul which is according to God’s will. The Lord Jesus was first in their priorities. That is what He wants from us – put Him first in our lives. Note that the Macedonians first gave themselves to the Lord, not their money! Giving money to Paul and the poor saints in Jerusalem came easy once they were already devoted to the Lord. Why we are not giving probably shows a lack of devotion to the Lord.
4. Reconciliation before worshipping God acceptably
Jesus told His disciples that they needed to reconcile their differences. He said that if they knew they had done others wrong, they should go to them to seek reconciliation. He said, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matt. 5:23-24). If we want to be right with God, we must do things such that we can also be right with others. If our worship is to be found pleasing and acceptable with God, we must do what we can to be right with our brethren. Do we sit in the pew during the worship services singing praise to God and yet harbor bitterness and hatred toward our brethren? We can’t read people’s hearts, but God can. Jesus said that we should reconcile with them if we are to be right with God. Getting right with God is the most important step you can take today.
Brethren, some of us might not have done well spiritually speaking last year, but we can always strive to do better this year. May God help us all as we find encouragement from the words of the apostle Paul.
I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. (NCV Phil. 3:12-14).
I wish you a good year ahead and “whatever you do shall prosper” as you seek to live your life in accordance with the will of God.