Jesus First (Repost): Last night before I went to sleep I was praying to God and I proceeded to tell God that I was putting Him first but I stopped myself because sometimes we can speak too highly of ourselves and God has corrected me for doing this. Instead, I asked God what it would look like to put Him first. Then I had a dream when I fell asleep that showed me how it looks for God to be first and foremost in ones life. (My dream): when I came to, me and my wife were getting out of our car with our groceries. As I was carrying bags into the apartment I crossed paths with a man who bumped into me as if I was in his way. He was in the wrong but I still apologized for bumping into him. On my way back I saw that he had started talking to my wife about us being in his way so I took it upon myself to reiterate that we didnt want any problems. Out of nowhere it seemed as though the man got aggressive. He and his sons (who were huge) began to beat me up in his house. Somehow I caught a break and I began to ran in an attempt to get away. I grabbed multiple pairs of nice shoes as I was running and I ran into a room. I threw the shoes away where they wouldnt be found. As I was running I got away and there was a change of scenery. At this point in the dream I was at a friends house. As I was about to knock on the door an extremely aggressive looking man came up to me and grabbed me. He told me it was about to go down because I had thrown his brothers shoes. I was partially perplexed but he was still ready to fight me. I attempted to raise my hands to defend myself but I couldnt and it was futile. I remember seeing a baby lying in the grass where I had been getting beat up at representing the fact that I was no match for him. After this I simply walked away and the man who beat me up continued to follow me antagonizing me and telling me that I was no match for him. I proceeded to look throughout my phone to decide what people I should call to come and help me. Instead of calling anyone I remembered that I should not repay evil for evil but that I should repay good for evil. Then I woke up. Meaning: When putting God first you and your feelings are of no concern because you are doing the will of God. You must not repay evil for evil. Even when you face persecution for doing the right thing this a good thing in Gods eyes. This person must endure the hardship because this is a tribulation that has been appointed to him by God and God will avenge His servant on the day of Judgement. I was right in every instance that the confrontation had taken place. I was beaten but I did not throw one punch in retaliation. I took the shoes because they were idols that I was trying to take from the people in the midst of them beating me. The idols were keeping them from serving God properly. I was not even concerned with my pain I was concerned with their salvation even while they were beating me. The last encounter exemplifies long suffering and the fact that humiliation is a part of the calling. In a nutshell truly putting Jesus first means to do what is right even with the prospect of being beaten, or worse, killed for it. Notice that in each situation that I was right in Gods eyes. Although I was right I was punished by the people who perceived it as wrong or as evil. God does not want His children to fight with their fists because we war not against flesh and blood but with spiritual wickedness in high places. This is a level of obedience that Christians seldom reach but I want this to be all of our goals as it is mine. This may seem radical but it is the righteous calling of God to be a radical Christian and not a lukewarm one. Lukewarm makes you in danger of the judgement. Being a radical Christian guarantees salvation and eternal life. Be radical my brothers and sisters.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:06:57 +0000
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