"And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God."
2 Corinthians 8:5 (NKJV)
This is a good pattern for Christians to follow, first give yourself to God and follow Him. After we have given ourselves to God then we give ourselves to others. Our relationship with God comes first, then our relationship with people and other ministers follow. If we keep our priorities right, with our relationship with God always coming first, then our relationships with others will function the way that they should. If we put other relationships first and our relationship with God second we will have problems in relationships because we will look for something from people that only God can supply.
Many Christians have gotten this pattern backwards and they first give themselves to people, especially their favorite minister, and then they follow God. We first of all follow God and not just some minister or teaching. We certainly should be committed to our pastor, and any other minister we may have a relationship with; but again, the first place our commitment goes is to God. Our commitment to God and our relationship with Him will be reflected in our relationship with others and help us to serve others more effectively.
God has given us some wonderful men and women who are gifted to teach and preach the Word of God, but they are still not God. Our main source of revelation and inspiration should be from God through His Word by the Holy Spirit. If we first give ourselves to God and allow Him to lead us and teach us then what we get through others will confirm and add to what God has already shown us. We need to keep our priorities in relationships right and first of all give ourselves to God and then let Him show us the other people and ministers we should be connected with. This is the correct pattern and doing this will help us to have the right relationship with God and with others.
2 Corinthians 8:5 (NKJV)
This is a good pattern for Christians to follow, first give yourself to God and follow Him. After we have given ourselves to God then we give ourselves to others. Our relationship with God comes first, then our relationship with people and other ministers follow. If we keep our priorities right, with our relationship with God always coming first, then our relationships with others will function the way that they should. If we put other relationships first and our relationship with God second we will have problems in relationships because we will look for something from people that only God can supply.
Many Christians have gotten this pattern backwards and they first give themselves to people, especially their favorite minister, and then they follow God. We first of all follow God and not just some minister or teaching. We certainly should be committed to our pastor, and any other minister we may have a relationship with; but again, the first place our commitment goes is to God. Our commitment to God and our relationship with Him will be reflected in our relationship with others and help us to serve others more effectively.
God has given us some wonderful men and women who are gifted to teach and preach the Word of God, but they are still not God. Our main source of revelation and inspiration should be from God through His Word by the Holy Spirit. If we first give ourselves to God and allow Him to lead us and teach us then what we get through others will confirm and add to what God has already shown us. We need to keep our priorities in relationships right and first of all give ourselves to God and then let Him show us the other people and ministers we should be connected with. This is the correct pattern and doing this will help us to have the right relationship with God and with others.
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