RefinedforChrist

*Disclaimer: Read the Bible for yourself and develop a personal relationship with Jesus. Do not take my words as the Bible; I speak from experience, my personal relationship with Jesus, and revelation from the Holy Spirit on the topic. I am not a trained minister, so find spiritual covering through a church and pastor, not through this blog. *

Putting God First in Your Life and Walking in Your God-Given Purpose

In this day and age, Christianity has been viewed as an accessory. Something to add onto life but not consume our lives. However, God is a consuming fire, and we are to give Him our all. It has become normalized to put everything before God, and He becomes not even a second thought but a last one for plenty in this generation.

Today, we’re going to dive into putting God first for the sake of purpose, having no other gods before Him, and giving God the preeminence He deserves.

Purpose Requires Priority: Why Putting God First Matters

Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This is often called the golden scripture for a reason. It reveals why people lack in life, gives direction for living a fulfilling life, and shows what a life with purpose truly is. Our life is to seek God, put Him first in all things, and push the kingdom forward. Without that direction, our life doesn’t really have meaning, because if you aren’t seeking God, what are you seeking? We should ask ourselves this regularly to keep us in check.

Seek God First: The Biblical Foundation for a Purpose-Filled Life

The “secret” to life goes back to seeking God first and making Him a priority, before anything and everything else, because truthfully, what else deserves your attention the way the Creator does? When we put it in perspective, He gave us breath, formed us in our mother’s womb, counted every hair on our head, and knows our every thought. Who else pays that much attention to us? So, shouldn’t we give Him the same admiration?

Why God Requires Priority: Understanding God’s Purpose for Your Life

God asking for priority in our lives isn’t selfish, but purposeful. God knows us best, as I explained, so naturally, He knows the best path for us, how we should live this life on earth, and how to make it count. Human nature is wicked in that choosing our own life purpose will only bring destruction. Putting God first changes that direction to a life that is productive for His kingdom and eternal life.

Why Christians Must Deliberately Put God First

God doesn’t only require priority because it’s “good for us” but because it saves us from our sinful nature and eternal damnation in hell. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Our nature doesn’t know what is good and gravitates toward wickedness, which is why we must be deliberate about putting God first. It guides us in ways we could never on our own; we need His Spirit to show us what is good.

Putting God first reveals His love, His power, and the plan He has for humanity and how He wants you to be a part of that plan. 

Furthermore, Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” The key word is seems. We can assume our life is right because we aren’t “bad” people, but God doesn’t see it that way. He looks at the heart, and if our heart doesn’t have Him on the throne, then this life is meaningless. We are only lying to ourselves and singing a lullaby that lures us to hell.

What Happens When God Is Not First in Your Life?

We have to be honest with ourselves and ask, “Who is first in my life?” “What do I make a priority?” “What or Who gets my attention first?” And if the answer isn’t God, then you have to make a change. When He is not first, we are permitting demonic things to enter our lives without even realizing it. We have all fallen short at times, so moments like this help us be real with ourselves and get back up stronger.

Not saying you’re going to hell, but if you don’t change, you’re headed there, because the moment you stop putting God first, the devil has an open door to steal, kill, and destroy. However, the beautiful thing is there’s still time, just not a lot of it. So, how do we go about putting God first?

Obedience Rather Than Sacrifice: How to Put God First According to the Bible

I know you were probably expecting a practical list, like pray for 5 minutes when you wake up and read a chapter before bed, and those things are great, but no. Putting God first is obeying His word above everything. I Samuel 15:22 states, “So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”

Why Obedience to God Is Better Than Sacrifice

You can sacrifice everything, but if you never listen to God, then what is it worth? Nothing; it is worth nothing, because it is only through our obedience that God can work. Miracles only happen where obedience resides, and Godly guidance has preeminence.

Obedience, however, starts with a posture of the heart. There are a few reasons we listen to people: 1) because we’re scared of them and what will happen if we don’t, or 2) because we love and respect them. I John 5:3 helps us examine our heart posture as it says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

When we love God, it’s actually easy to obey Him; it’s no trouble. So, if we don’t obey God, we don’t love Him? You don’t love Him the way you should, and He isn’t a priority. Just think about it: if you love someone and they are a priority in your life, then isn’t doing what they ask easy or even natural? Sometimes you do what they want without even asking.

How to Make God the Center of Your Life

If I claim to love someone and say they are number one in my life, but never do what they ask, then I am lying to myself. And people have gotten too comfortable with lying to themselves about their relationship with God so they can feel good about themselves and ignore the deep, hidden despair that they are on the way to hell.

 We have to be honest with ourselves and see the bigger picture: “Who is God in my life?” Because He should be Lord and Savior, not just Savior. He should be the one you go to for direction, guidance, your daily bread and living. God should be a part of your life the way air is needed to breathe, the way the heart is needed to pump blood. God should be that intertwined. A part of every single moment, thought, decision, movement, God should be involved in it all.

There’s always a deeper relationship we can pursue with God; you’re never finished, and that’s the beautiful thing. God is so multidimensional that there is never-ending growth in relationship with Him; there’s always something new and exciting to learn about the Creator. So, take the time to get into your Word, get into prayer, worship, and find out what pleases Him, what obeying looks like, and what interweaving God into the fabric of your life looks like.

Don’t Forget God: Remembering God’s Goodness and Faithfulness

The children of Israel didn’t treat God like He was the God who parted the Red Sea and delivered them from the Egyptians. They treated God like He was someone who constantly inflicted pain upon them. Psalm 78:10-11 says, “They did not keep the covenant of God; They refused to walk in His law, And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them.”

What Happens When We Forget What God Has Done?

They stop obeying God because they didn’t remember His goodness. When we start associating God with the enemy’s characteristics, that’s when you have to admit you’ve drifted. That’s when disobedience seems easier, and conviction becomes less convincing. However, God is not the author of pain and suffering; that comes either because of the devil or as a consequence of human disobedience to God’s word. Which is what the Israelites were constantly doing: disobeying God, and naturally, they suffered the consequences; however, they looked at God like it was Him who caused it.

The Biblical Consequences of Disobedience to God

Deuteronomy 28:15 says, “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:.”

When you’re not putting God first, not listening to His word, and living how your flesh pleases, you are willingly putting yourself under a curse. God has nothing to do with that; it’s all you. You’re actually giving the devil free rein to play with you and amuse himself in your despair by drifting off God’s path. 

I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” When you’re in disobedience, you give the enemy an open door to devour you. There is a blessing in following God wholeheartedly, not to make life “boring” but so that God can prosper the way He desires. It is never His intention to harm His creation.

Repentance, Accountability, and Returning to God

So we have to take accountability when we fall short. Admit it, face it, and remember the beautiful thing about God: He forgives and gives second chances. He gives you the ability to be better than you were before and come up higher, to receive a richer anointing, deeper wisdom, and knowledge. He is willing to transform you with His Holy Spirit if you would only yield. 

God is good, and we must not forget that everything good flows from Him, and He never changes. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” God doesn’t change. When the old church folk would say, “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good,” they were speaking Biblical truth. This is what we must hold onto. God’s unchanging goodness. It is through remembering His goodness that we can return to Him. Get to know God’s immense love for you, and that will bring you back. 

Spiritual Warfare: Recognizing the Attacks of the Enemy

So, realize that it is indeed an attack of the enemy when your mind is trying to convince you that God is inflicting pain or dispair upon you. God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people. Meaning, He delights in seeing you well off, so why would He do anything that would go against His word? Psalm 138:2 states, “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” God puts His word above His own name; that is how serious it is. 

Evaluate your life because it is either the enemy or the consequences of your actions if you’re in a place of suffering at the moment. Take the time to repent and move forward with God. 

Don’t Conform to the World: What Romans 12:2 Means for Christians

Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We are to be set apart, yet, when we don’t conform to this world, we get looked at as if we are strange. And that’s okay, the world normalizes what displeases God, and if we are people of faith, our main mission is to do what pleases God. 

The Children of Israel and the Danger of Conforming to the World

The children of Israel conformed, they wanted to be like the nations beside them. I Samuel 8:19-20 says, “Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 

They did not want to be set apart as God’s special people. They didn’t see the value of it. Never forget the value of staying set apart for God, it pays off a lot more than being worldly does. It offers protection, victory, wisdom, joy, peace of mind, prosperity, confidence, and a sense of self that only God can give. 

Nothing in this world can replace what God can give, and we can only have what God offers if we surrender our will and way to Him. There’s only so much blessing we can obtain while living in the world; there’s another level when you truly live spiritually and give up your carnal desires. 

Surrendering Your Will to God

Ask God to reveal to you the greatness and riches of His glory. God is willing to meet you where you are, but you need a willing heart. The children of Israel were blindsided; their hearts were not willing and no longer desired the Lord, and they paid the consequences. 

Despite what people may say, live for the Lord. Even if it’s uncomfortable at moments, there is a reward at the end. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

How to Return to God and Put Him First

Take the time to reflect on what needs to change in your life and start spending more time with God. He is always waiting with open arms and is ready to embrace you. He loves you more than you can imagine, more than anyone in this world can. He sent His Son to die for you, to take on your sin, so you can have life eternal. And not just life eternal, but an abundance life while on earth! You don’t have to be sick, broke, depressed, anxious, angry, bitter, etc.; you can have the prosperity, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit. 

If you don’t know Jesus currently, but want to after reading this blog, say this prayer.  “Dear Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins and turn my back to them; I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day. I accept Him into my heart now; I confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that Jesus is Lord. By faith, I give Him my whole life, heart, mind, and soul. Amen!”

If you said this, navigate to our Just Got Saved Page for a Bible and Church Recommendations based on your location! 

I hope this helped, and God bless.