Who Is First?

Who Is First?

In her book My Memories of We, Mamie Eisenhower revealed some of the reasons
why General Dwight D. Eisenhower was such a great leader. He was able to
inspire others to serve and sacrifice because of his deep love and loyalty
to his country. Mrs. Eisenhower said, "I learned early in our married life
about his single-minded devotion to America."

At their first home - a small apartment near Fort Sam Houston in San
Antonio, Texas - young Eisenhower kept his gear packed at all times. He was
ready to go anywhere when called upon to do so. After they had been married
only a month or so, Ike was given a new assignment that would take him away
from home. He came in and announced to Mamie that he must leave her for
awhile. She said to him, "Ike, you are not going to leave me this soon
after our wedding day, are you?"

Ike put his arms around his young bride and said, "Mamie, there is one thing
you must understand. My country comes first and always will. You come
second."

Mamie Eisenhower was shocked! She was a nineteen-year-old bride who had
been married only one month and now she had just heard the sobering words,
"You come second." *

We may disagree with his priorities, but Eisenhower was right in the fact
that we must determine who or what is going to be first in our lives.

In order for our lives to be lived the way God intends, Jesus says we must
put Him first. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things [the necessities of life] shall be added to you" (Matthew
6:33). An expert in the Law of Moses once 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" (Matthew 22:34-38).

First things first. That's a statement of priority, and it's the way that
we live life properly - if we put GOD first.

Jesus showed us the way. He said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to
do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). Following the
will of God took Him to the cross where He died for the sins of the world,
including yours and mine (Philippians 2:5-8). He did this to pay the price
for the redemption of our sins (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save and give eternal life to those who put Him first by placing
their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turning from their sins in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in
the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Let's "get it right." Let's live life the way God intended. Put God first
and follow Him faithfully. Won't YOU?

-- David A. Sargent

* As quoted by Rick Lance in "Discipleship: Following in His Footsteps,"
www.preaching.com.