First thing first
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,.." NIV 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
We constantly do good deeds to others while we also enjoy same from people we know and sometimes from strangers. Most times Christians attempt to secretly carry out such sublime gestures in order to avoid being at the center stage. But good deeds are just too hard to hide. After Jesus had performed healing on people, sometimes He gave strict orders they keep it a secret (Matthew 8:4; Mark 7:36). To Jesus there was something much more important to make public.
At a point in time the apostles were sent out by the Master and they came back with great jubilation for casting out demons. It was a good thing they had done and there was nothing wrong about their euphoria. After all, those in bondage had been set free. But the Lord Jesus cut the celebration short by placing it at the right place. The apostles were to rather be joyful for having their names written in Heaven (Luke 10:17, 20). It is the first thing required. Have you done what it takes to get your name written in Heaven? (by God’s standard?)
Regarding the worries of this life: what to eat, what to wear and shelter (Matthew 6:31) the Lord still mentions that something still occupies the top of the needful list of life-the basic spiritual need of God’s kingdom and the accompanying righteousness. In brevity, He stated “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33) The Lord’s emphasis here again is “get the first thing done”. Are you faithfully a member of the Kingdom of God?
It is written, “Good deeds are obvious and those that are not cannot be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:25). We are surely rewarded for our efforts in good deeds and God does not overlook any good deed done. Regarding the man Cornelius, “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly” (Acts 10:2). After having an angelic visitation, he still needed to do the first important thing. The Gospel message was to be of first importance and its obedience, without delay. (Acts 10:47-48). Have you speedily responded to the Gospel message like Cornelius did?
The beauty is that, while the first thing is first sought, good works are still encouraged to be maintained (Titus 3:8).The death, the burial and the resurrection of Christ because of our sins, is the Gospel message for you and I. It is the most important and of first importance. God is calling for you today.