First: Priority, Position, and the Place of God

This term denotes priority, precedence, and the position of being before all else, above any other consideration or entity. While being first can represent achievement and excellence, the desire to be first also brings competition and can result in pride, leading us away from humility and godly character.

The Desire to Be First: Competition and Pride

The human desire to be first often stems from ambition and the pursuit of recognition. This competitive spirit can lead to pride, where we elevate ourselves above others and seek to dominate rather than serve. Jesus addressed this directly when His disciples argued about who was the greatest (Mk 9:33-37). He taught that true greatness comes through humility and service, not through seeking first place for personal glory.

Wanting to be first can lead to pride

Pride precedes destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov 16:18). When we prioritize being first, we risk becoming self-focused, envious of others' success, and resistant to correction. The apostle Paul warned against thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought (Rom 12:3). Instead, we should consider others better than ourselves, looking to their interests rather than our own (Phil 2:3-4).

Those that exalt and put themselves first will be humbled (Mt 19:30). This warning should be taken seriously, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5). Humility is not weakness but strength under control – the recognition that all we have and all we are comes from God (1 Cor 4:7; Jas 1:17).

God examines the heart and knows our motives (1 Sam 16:7; Jer 17:10). The desire to be first may be driven by selfish ambition or a genuine desire to serve God's purposes. When our motive is to glorify ourselves rather than God, even good works become tainted (Mt 6:1-4). The apostle Paul urged believers to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than themselves (Phil 2:3).

Selfish ambition leads to disorder and every evil practice (Jas 3:16). In contrast, when we seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, our motives align with His purposes (Mt 6:33). Jesus warned that those who do their righteous acts to be seen by others have received their reward in full, but our Father in heaven sees what is done in secret (Mt 6:1-6). God rewards those whose hearts are pure and whose motives are directed toward Him.

What does God say about our motives?

God's Priority in Our Lives

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 provide whatever is necessary for you – He will provide for our need not greed (Mt 6:33; Phil 4:19).

Is God first in my life?

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).

The True Church

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 New Testament, is God's pattern and foundation for His church.

What defines the true church?

Biblical References to "First"

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).

Reflection and Application:

Examine your priorities – is God truly first in every area of your life?
Consider what might be competing for first place in your heart and mind.
Practice presenting your requests to God before seeking other solutions.
Follow the Macedonian example by giving yourself first to God, then to others.

See also: competition, idol/idolatry, motives, pride, priority.