Put Christ First
We had an excellent and inspired time of Bible Study this week! Praise God! It began as an ordinary meeting. Then, after we had sung a couple of hymns, one of the men asked if he could address the congregation. This dear brother commented frankly that he had not felt like coming to Bible Study and that he almost did not come, and he humbly asked for prayer regarding his struggle with the flesh.
It was a heartfelt request for prayer that led all of us to admit that there are times when we also struggle with the flesh, particularly regarding church attendance. In fact, everyone at Bible Study actually admitted that they had experienced the very same struggle that evening, including this preacher! It led to a wonderful and powerful time of sharing. We talked about how God’s Word exhorts us not to forsake gathering together in His Name for worship and fellowship. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
The world, the flesh and the devil are constantly tugging at us, tempting us to go the wrong way, as we see in Ephesians 2:1-3, James 4:1-7, 1 Peter 4:1-4 and 5:8-9, and 1 John 2:12-17. But of all of these, our flesh is by far our greatest enemy and will always seek to lead us away from Christ, and to do that which is easy, or that which stimulates fleshly desires. Our flesh actually wars against our spirit, as we see in Romans 7:14-24.
We must recognize that this is a problem, and must take control of our flesh, and of our thoughts, and make ourselves obey Christ! “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ!” 2 Corinthians 10:5
In this dark and evil day, God’s people must remain strong in the Lord, and stay faithful! It’s so important! It’s not just about church attendance, although that is certainly a part of it. Our flesh simply does not want us to obey Christ in anything! But we must deny our flesh and live for Jesus with our whole heart!
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
In other words, we must crucify our flesh — die to ourselves — and do what our Lord wants us to do, at all times, whether we feel like it or not, whether it satisfies our flesh our not.
Whenever we struggle with our flesh, we must be victorious and must throw down and conquer our fleshly desires — and this can only be accomplished in the power of His might!
We must yield to Christ and draw our strength from the Saviour!
The apostle Paul, writing under divine inspiration exhorted the Ephesians, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might!” This is our strength — being in Christ and forsaking our fleshly desires! Ephesians 6:10
When we gather together for worship, fellowship and Bible Study, we gain a strength that we could never get just sitting at home by ourselves. Iron sharpens iron, and we need each other for added strength.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, just as our dear brother asked for prayer, so ought we all to pray for one another, that our commitment to the Lord will never wane, but that we will grow ever stronger in spirit, and experience the joy of the Lord in well doing!
We left Bible Study refreshed, and with a renewed commitment to put Christ FIRST always and in every thing. Praise God!
