Centrality: Everything Revolves Around Christ

The Centrality of Jesus: Why He Must Be First in Everything

In a world full of competing priorities and distractions, one truth remains paramount - Jesus must be at the center of everything we do and believe. Jesus must be first and foremost in our lives. This foundational principle isn't just for our spiritual lives, but every aspect of our existence.

Why Does Jesus Need to Be Central?

According to Colossians 1:15-20, Jesus is:

  • The image of the invisible God
  • Firstborn over all creation
  • Creator of everything in heaven and earth
  • Before all things and holds everything together
  • Head of the church
  • The beginning and firstborn from the dead

This passage emphasizes the universal nature of Christ's authority using words like "all," "everything," and "firstborn" repeatedly. There isn't a single aspect of existence that falls outside His domain. To put it into Abraham Kuyper’s words, “no single piece of our mental world is to be hermetically sealed off from the rest, and there is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’”


At EDFBC, our foundational value is simply phrased, "Jesus First." That means that everything we do runs from, continues through, and ends with Jesus. He is our focus in everything, so that all we do
revolves around Jesus. That is the anchor that holds us in place because that principle is central. In other words, keeping Jesus First IS the main thing.

What Happens When Jesus Isn't First?

When we place anything above Jesus, problems emerge:

  • Ministry can become self-focused rather than Christ-focused
  • Evangelism can become about numbers rather than transformation
  • Giving can become about recognition rather than worship
  • Our actions and beliefs become misaligned
  • We lose our effectiveness in showing Christ to others
Nothing is worth sacrificing the primacy of Jesus. There is no theological paradigm, no ministry or program, no idea or philosophy, no building or place, that is worth us chasing anything other than Jesus. Even if we claim it is in His name and for Him!

How Do We Keep Jesus Central?

Maintaining Jesus as the center requires:

  • Submitting to His leadership
  • Spending intentional time with Him
  • Aligning our actions with our stated beliefs
  • Regular evaluation of our priorities
  • Remaining grounded in faith
  • Continuing in spiritual growth

What Are the Results of Putting Jesus First?

When Jesus is truly central:

  • We find our true identity in Christ
  • We become holy, faultless, and blameless through His sacrifice
  • Our values and actions align
  • We experience true transformation
  • We impact those around us positively
When Jesus is first, lives are radically transformed. When Jesus is first, uneducated (in the original Greek, idiotas) preachers bring thousands to saving faith. When Jesus is first, a small, ragtag group of misfits transform the entire world. When Jesus is first, the church accomplishes its mission.

Life Application

This week, evaluate your life through these questions:

  1. What does my use of time reveal about my priorities?
  2. Are my actions consistently reflecting Jesus to others?
  3. Where have I allowed other things to take precedence over Christ?

Challenge: Choose one area of your life where Jesus isn't currently central. Make a specific plan to realign that area with Christ's leadership this week. This might mean changing your schedule, adjusting your priorities, or reconsidering your commitments.

Remember: Jesus isn't meant to be an add-on to our lives - He's meant to be the central figure around which everything else revolves. When we get this right, everything else falls into proper alignment.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

He Will Be Called: Mighty God (Part 1)

___________________________________________________________ "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:          Wonderful Counselor                     Mighty God,                              Everlasting Father,                                     Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9.6 (NLT) ___________________________________________________________ As we started last week with Wonderful Counselor, we continue today with Mighty God. Now first, where do you hear the word, "might" (and not as in "I 'might' go to the movies" but as in strength or power)? If you're anything like me the answer comes from two places: church and when talking about the military! We hear ...
Read more

Turning Controversy into Church Ministry

I've alluded to W.P. Cambpell's book, Turning Controversy into Church Ministry: A Christlike Response to Homosexuality several times, but today you get all my thoughts regarding the book. First, note that Campbell is a pastor in the PC(USA), which means he falls into one of two camps: for or against the repeal of the "fidelity and chastity" clause. I'll admit, when I saw the title of the book, I was afraid he fell into the camp that totally embraced homosexuality because Jesus was "inclusive." At the same time, I imagined it couldn't be too far right (a la Fred "I'm a nut-job" Phelps) and wondered what middle ground he had found. Fortunately, Campbell navigates the roaring rapids of the homosexual issue quite well. He begins with the story that forms his framework from John 8, showcasing Jesus, the Pharisees, and the woman caught in adultery. Of specific note, he highlights Jesus' response to their demands that she be stoned, J...
Read more

Who I am Doesn't Like Who I've Been

Maybe you've been there: your past catches up to your present and you REALLY don't like the conflagration that ensues.  For many on the church, your past catching up to you can be a death sentence for your usefulness in the kingdom of God.  You become the pariah, cast out, looked down on, and really not welcome because of something you've done.  It might not even have any bearing on who you are today, but even its scars are enough to leave you with a very visible scarlet letter... Why do we do this to ourselves?  Last time I checked, Scripture was clear that we were all a load of screw- ups ( Romans 3.23 ) in need of some serious help because we were sick ( Mark 2.17 ).  Truth not withstanding, that's often the appearance and necessity in many churches: we're all good, not a problem to be found.  If we show weakness or worse, sin, we're done and it's all over for us.  That's why Reliant K wrote a song many years ago about the church going ...
Read more