1 Peter 3:15 (AMP) – But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord…….
Our reference scripture for today presents a profound truth about our relationship with the Lord.
When Jesus was on earth, He made it clear in several scriptures to everyone who followed Him that He was to be their only priority.
Matthew 10:37-38 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”(NIV)
The moment we became born again, our confession mirrored the truth of Jesus being number One, we confessed Jesus as Lord. Romans 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (NLT)
The challenge for many of us Christians after first saying yes to Jesus is the ability to consistently make Him number One in our lives and in our affairs. God’s word in 1 Peter 3:15-16 has made clear how we are to go about this: We are to make Jesus number One: first in our hearts and then show it to the people around us.
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.(NLT)
The instruction of 1 Peter 3:15-16 is one of intentionality – every day of our lives, we are to continually set Jesus apart as holy, acknowledging Him and giving Him first place in our lives, over the people in our lives, our jobs, our finances or anything this world can offer. Jesus also made this clear in Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.(NIV)
When we make it a habit to intentionally make Jesus first, He will truly reign in our hearts and that way we would be able to demonstrate to the world through the way we live and how we preach that He alone is to be worshipped.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you alone are Lord, you alone are King. You died for me so I should no longer live for myself but for you who loved me, died for me and rose from the dead. Please help me to make you Lord daily in my heart and reflect through the way I live and the way I relate with others that you alone are worthy of worship in Jesus name. Amen.