First

<<foremost>>

This word indicates priority, before all else, above any other. God is to be first in our lives. We are to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, with nothing having a higher priority, otherwise this becomes an idol (Ex 20:3-6; Mk 12:30). Consciously and actively put God first in your life then He will

Is God first in my life?

provide whatever is necessary for you – He will provide for our need not greed (Mt 6:33; Phil 4:19). Regularly examine your life to ensure He is in that rightful position. Through prayer we should be quick to present our requests to God (Phil 4:6). Similarly, obeying should be our first response, rather than as a last resort when our own effort has failed and there are no other options. Be like the Macedonian churches who gave themselves first to God, then to others through the collection for the Jerusalem church (2 Cor 8:5).

Those that exalt and put themselves first will be humbled (Mt 19:30).

Nowhere in Scripture is it mentioned that tracing a church's roots back to the first church (as in the book of Acts), determines it being the 'one true church'. Rather any such claim should be based on comparing its teachings with that as recorded in the Scriptures – the only infallible standard (Ps 19:7,8, 119:160; Prov 30:5; Jn 17:17; Gal 1:6-9; 2 Tim 3:15-17). The church, as recorded in the NT, is God's pattern and foundation for His church.

Christ was resurrected on the "first day of the week" – Sunday, and this became recognised as the Lord's Day (Mt 28:1; Mk 16:9; Act 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2).

"The first man Adam, became a living being, the last Adam [Jesus Christ] a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual" (1 Cor 15:45,46).

The "first covenant" refers to the (OT) Old Testament (Heb 9:18).

See also: idol/idolatry, priority.