Prioritizing Jesus: Encouraging a Christ-Centered Life for Believers.

Is Jesus the Ultimate Passion or Just a Side Interest?

Many believers struggle with making Jesus the ultimate passion in their lives. While they claim to love Him and follow His teachings, their actions and interests speak otherwise. They seem to be more excited about the latest movies, clothing, apps, and events than they are about Jesus.

As a fellow Christian, you may be wondering how to approach this issue without coming across as judgmental or critical. You don't want to dampen their enthusiasm for these things, but at the same time, you want to help them prioritize their relationship with Jesus.

What Does the Bible Say About Priorities?

As Christians, we are called to put God first in everything we do. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." In other words, when we prioritize our relationship with God, everything else falls into place.

Paul also emphasizes the importance of putting Christ first in his letter to the Colossians: "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). When we make Jesus the center of our lives, we experience wholeness and completeness.

However, it's easy to get distracted by the things of this world and lose sight of our priorities. James warns us about this in his letter: "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4). When we prioritize worldly things over our relationship with God, we become enemies of God.

How to Encourage a Christ-Centered Life

So how do we encourage our fellow believers to prioritize their relationship with Jesus without being judgmental or critical? Here are a few tips:

1. Lead by Example

The best way to encourage someone to prioritize their relationship with Jesus is to lead by example. Let your passion for Christ be contagious. Model expressive joy in Jesus. Over time, if there is no resonance from their heart with your joy, it may be time to have a loving conversation about the state of their heart.

When others see how much you love Jesus and how He is the center of your life, they may be inspired to make Him the center of their lives as well.

2. Pray for Them

Prayer is a powerful tool in encouraging others to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Pray for your fellow believers, asking God to give them a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Pray for their hearts to be opened to the love of Christ and for their priorities to be aligned with His will.

3. Share Your Testimony

Sharing your testimony can be a powerful way to encourage others to prioritize their relationship with Jesus. When they hear how Jesus has transformed your life, they may be inspired to seek Him more fervently.

4. Offer Resources

There are many resources available to help believers grow in their relationship with Jesus. Offer to lend them a Christian book or to recommend a sermon or podcast that has helped you in your walk with Christ. Encourage them to attend a Bible study or small group with you.

Conclusion

As Christians, our ultimate passion should be Jesus. He should be the center of our lives and the focus of our hearts. When we prioritize our relationship with Him, everything else falls into place.

If you know someone who seems to prioritize worldly things over their relationship with Jesus, don't be judgmental or critical. Instead, lead by example, pray for them, share your testimony, and offer resources to help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

Remember, we are all on a journey of faith, and it's important to encourage one another along the way. Let's strive to make Jesus the ultimate passion in our lives and help others to do the same.