We Are Christians First
Are you a Christian? If you are, that relationship to God should govern
everything you do about everything, all the time. When you first obeyed Christ
in baptism, you were making the commitment to be a Christian and to be a
Christian first.
You have a job, but you are a Christian first. Everything you do as an employee
should be governed by your higher calling. “…obey in all things your masters
according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity
of heart, fearing God,” (Col. 3:22).
You are a neighbor, but you are a Christian first. Your treatment of your
neighbor should be based on your love for the God who made your neighbor (Jas.
3:9; Matt. 22:36-40).
You are a member of a local church, hopefully, one that exists and works with
full respect for the teachings of Scripture. Your ultimate loyalty is to Jesus
Christ, the head of the universal church (Eph. 1:22-23). If there is ever a
conflict between the group and the Head, your commitment is to the Head (Col.
2:19).
You may be a citizen of the United States, but you hold higher citizenship in
Christ’s kingdom (Col. 1:13; Phil. 1:27, 3:30). Our higher citizenship should
rule over all our involvement in our American citizenship. Everything we do as
good citizens here should be a function of our higher citizenship.
In all that we do, we are Christians first. Our relationship to God through
Jesus Christ ought to empower and enable all that we do from baptism until
death. Our first identity is, a Christian.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added to you,” Matt. 6:33.
By Warren E. Berkley
The Front Page
From Expository Files 15.11; November 2008
