Put God First Scripture: How To Make Him A Priority In Our Lives

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Published by Kimberly Wall

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Co-Founder, Disciple Group Leader, Author

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Putting God first in our lives is the foremost command of God for all of humanity. He created us out of nothing, bearing His likeness so that we could have a holy fellowship with Him. In the Garden of Eden, God made it clear to Adam and Eve that He was their Creator, whom they had to love and obey. Sadly, our first parents sinned and disobeyed God and were banished from their perfect nature in Paradise, experiencing pain, disease, and mortality.

The Great Commandment pronounced by Jesus Christ also reiterates and emphasizes God’s unswerving demand for us to love and honor him first, then others and ourselves. Today, God still requires us to place Him at the center of our lives and hearts.

What Does The Bible Say About Putting God First?

The Great Commandment

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.—Matthew 22:37–40

The story of Martha and Mary[1] in Luke 10 is one of the most illustrative narratives in the Bible on how we are to put God first in our lives. During Jesus’ time in the New Testament, Mary and Martha were sisters of the man Lazarus, who was raised by Him. Martha welcomed Jesus into their home, and Mary sat at the feet of the Lord, listening intently to His words.

In the meantime, Martha was distracted, working and preparing as frantically as she could to prepare and serve the meal for her guest. When Martha became frustrated, she scolded Jesus, asking whether He cared about the fact that her sister had left her to prepare the meal alone.

She asked Jesus to command Mary to help her with the preparations. The Lord replied to Martha: “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed, only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (verses 41–42).

Like Martha, we often put God aside in the pursuit of our everyday lives. We are prone to be more concerned about our finances, work, and other things in this world. But we should emulate Mary with her unswerving love and faith to serve God first in everything that we do.

God Detests Idolatry

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal human beings and birds and animals and reptiles.—Romans 1:21–23

God created us to exalt Him alone. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often worshiped Baal, the god of fertility, and other gods. These blatant sins earned the ire of God, making Him unleash severe punishment on the people.

God detests idolatry, which is the worship of idols or other objects instead of our only God. Idols can be physical objects like statues, or they can be idols of the heart, such as money or possessions “where thieves break through and steal” (Matthew 6).

Idolatry is a serious offense to God because it replaces Him with something else. When we do not make God the object of our worship, it shows that we are not trusting in Him. Idolatry is a form of disobedience that God detests, and He has warned us against it many times in the Bible.

God: The Priority In Our Everyday Lives

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.—1 Corinthians 10:31

In our busy, mundane lives, we often rush into the world without any form or semblance of acknowledging the existence, guidance, or sovereignty of God. We neglect to pray, read the Bible, contemplate spiritual matters, or help those who are in need. Our selfish nature drives us to pursue things for our own benefit. Money is at the center of our lives, and possessions rule our hearts.

In all we do, we strive to make God our priority. We seek to honor and glorify Him in our thoughts, words, and actions. By putting God at the center of our lives, we will be able to live a life of God’s grace and meaning. We also know that when we keep God first, we will be able to make decisions that are in line with His will and plan.

When God is our priority, we will be able to live a life full of joy and the Holy Spirit. We will also be able to share His love and grace with others. Ultimately, our goal is to live every moment for God’s glory.

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7 Top Put God First Scripture

In all your ways submit to him, and he will make straight your paths.—Proverbs 3:6

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.—Matthew 10:38-39

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.—Colossians 3:2

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.—Hebrews 12:2

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.—Revelation 2:4

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.—Ephesians 1:22–23

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”—Acts 5:29

5 Christian Quotes About Putting God First

If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will, in the end, make no difference what you have chosen instead. —William Law

As God is exalted to the right place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved all at once.—A.W. Tozer

Placing Him first in your life should be your daily goal, the main pursuit in the midst of all your other pursuits.—Paul Chappell

When I put God first, God takes care of me and energizes me to do what really needs to be done.—David Jeremiah

Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life continually faces God.—Oswald Chambers

Why Is It Important To Put God First?

Living In The Kingdom Of God

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.—Matthew 6:33

During the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, He often emphasized to His disciples His overriding rebuke of living for our daily physical needs rather than trusting our Heavenly Father for His provisions.

In our mundane lives, we are often caught in the “rat race.” When we wake up in the morning, the worries and concerns of this world inundate us: bills to pay, problems at work, and other concerns like having our wrinkles removed or losing some weight. We usually don’t start the day with prayer and seeking God.

Putting God first is a great way to ensure that we are living righteously and that our needs will be provided for. When we focus on His righteousness and prioritize His kingdom, God will be our great provider, making sure that we have all that we need.

When we focus on Him and His kingdom, our worries and anxieties fade away. We find peace, joy, and contentment in His presence and bear much fruit for His glory. By putting God first in our lives, we can trust that He will provide for us, no matter what our situation looks like. He is our source of strength and hope. 

Assurance Of Salvation

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—John 14:6

In the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ is described as the Great Shepherd who will guide us to all truth, righteousness, and the way to heaven. When we focus on following Jesus and putting God first in our hearts, our paths are headed in the right direction.

Although we often suffer pain, disease, brokenness, and all forms of tragic events in our lifetimes, we are convinced that things will turn out right in the end. Christ died for our sins, but our identity and suffering in Him will surely lead us to eternal life.

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Conclusion

Applying Bible verses about putting God first in our lives is a huge challenge. Because of our fallen nature, we tend to indulge in the pursuit of our earthly needs rather than contemplate things about God, heaven, and the kingdom of God.

But God made us in His image to worship and exalt Him every day. We honor Him through prayer, the study of His word, and other faith-building actions. The Great Commandment says that we must exalt and obey God above all and love our neighbors as ourselves. We pray God is the priority of this holy hierarchy that will assure us of a joyful and righteous life on Earth and a seat in the Kingdom of Heaven.

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