Today we will talk about Bible verses about putting Jesus first. Many Christians do not know what this means. Putting Jesus first is about prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else. It means making choices in our lives that reflect our commitment to follow His ways and teachings. By looking at these verses together, we can understand better how to put Jesus at the center of our lives and how vital it is for our faith journey. So let’s dive into God’s Word and reflect upon it together, allowing His truths to guide us through our days.
Bible Verses About Putting Jesus First
Who is Jesus in Our Lives
Understanding who Jesus is in our lives is crucial. We recognize Him not just as a historical figure but as our Savior and friend. By acknowledging His lordship, we can truly grasp the importance of putting Jesus first. This is a relationship that should take precedence over everything else in our lives. When we lift Jesus up and place Him at the forefront, we cultivate a deeper connection, allowing His love and guidance to permeate our actions and attitudes. Our lives become a beautiful tapestry woven with His influence, creating purpose and direction in everything we do.
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6
Philippians 2:10-11
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:10-11
Colossians 1:17
“He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:17
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
John 10:14
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” – John 10:14
Desiring God’s Plan
Desiring God’s plan means that we prioritize what He has in store for us over our own selfish interests. Our hearts should yearn for His direction, allowing us to align ourselves with His will. When we put Jesus first, we cultivate a spirit that desires to seek Him and His understanding in every aspect of our lives. We trust that God has a unique purpose for each of us, and by surrendering to His ways, we can experience the joy that comes with fulfilling His plan. Trusting His plan can sometimes be challenging, but it enriches our lives in ways we can’t even imagine!
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
Taking Up Our Cross
Taking up our cross signifies the commitment we have to live like Jesus did, embracing the challenges and sacrifices that come our way. When we put Jesus first, we are willing to endure hardships and follow Him wholeheartedly. This act of devotion not only strengthens our faith but also serves as a testament to those around us of our unwavering commitment. It reminds us that, although life may be tough, supporting our faith with action is what keeps us grounded in His love and message. It is through these trials that we express our allegiance to Jesus, showing the world our true colors as His followers.
Luke 9:23
“Then He said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'” – Luke 9:23
Matthew 10:38
“Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:38
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
1 Peter 2:21
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” – 1 Peter 2:21
Matthew 16:25
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” – Matthew 16:25
Seeking First the Kingdom
When we seek first the Kingdom of God, we prioritize spiritual matters above the distractions of earthly life. This pursuit is essential for putting Jesus first, as it points us to live in accordance with His teachings and the values of His Kingdom. It encourages us to focus on the importance of our spiritual journey and to engage in practices that nourish our souls, such as prayer, worship, and fellowship. By making this our priority, everything else falls into place, allowing us to lead lives filled with joy and purpose dedicated to serving others and honoring God. Every day becomes a joyful endeavor to live out our faith in tangible ways.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Luke 12:31
“But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” – Luke 12:31
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
1 Chronicles 22:19
“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.” – 1 Chronicles 22:19
James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
Love and Devotion
Love and devotion to Jesus is fundamental to our faith. When we put Jesus first, we embody His love, which fuels our actions and decisions. Loving Jesus deeply means that we desire to serve Him, to walk in His ways, and to reflect His character in our daily lives. This devotion can transform our hearts, drawing us closer to Him while filling our interactions with grace and kindness. Through our love for Him, we become living testimonies of His goodness and mercy, encouraging others to seek Him and experience that same joy we find in surrendering our lives to His leadership.
John 14:15
“If you love me, keep my commands.” – John 14:15
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10
Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:37-39
1 John 4:19
“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Ephesians 5:2
“And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:2
Obeying His Commands
Obeying His commands goes hand-in-hand with putting Jesus first. Embracing His teachings and following His instructions roots our faith deeply in Him. Our obedience demonstrates our love and respect towards Christ. The more we focus on doing what He has commanded, the more we reflect His character. We can experience profound peace by trusting in His commands and guidelines for our lives. Putting Jesus first encourages us to walk in faith, leading us to many blessings and fulfilling experiences. Knowing His commands and aligning our lives with them brings contentment—ensuring we stay on the right path during our journey.
1 John 5:3
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:3
John 15:14
“You are my friends if you do what I command.” – John 15:14
Luke 11:28
“He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.'” – Luke 11:28
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22
2 John 1:6
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.” – 2 John 1:6
Prayer and Connection
Prayer is our direct line of communication with Jesus. By prioritizing prayer in our lives, we make the conscious choice to put Jesus first. Engaging in prayer nurtures our connection with Him, strengthens our faith, and helps us hear His voice clearer. Through these intimate conversations, we can lay our burdens at His feet, celebrate our victories, and grow in our understanding of His character. When we make prayer part of our daily routines, we allow His love and guidance to steer our lives in ways we could never accomplish on our own. It’s this loving relationship through prayer that continually reminds us of His presence in our daily lives.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24
Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3
John 14:13-14
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 14:13-14
Daily Surrender
Daily surrender is a practice of continually putting Jesus at the helm of our lives. This act encapsulates putting Jesus first—a daily commitment to relinquish our desires and ambitions to Him. Surrendering is not always easy, yet it brings immense peace and clarity. When we hand over our worries and plans to Him, we become open to transformation and His divine guidance. Through daily surrender, we learn to trust Him more deeply and experience the joy of letting go of control. It’s essential to foster this habit, as it leads us toward a relationship built on faith, allowing Jesus to shape our lives in incredible ways.
Luke 9:24
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” – Luke 9:24
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” – Matthew 16:24
Galatians 5:24
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5:24
Philippians 3:8
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” – Philippians 3:8
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the significance of putting Jesus first, it becomes clear that our faith hinges on prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else. Each verse we explored highlights the beauty and importance of making Jesus the center of our lives, guiding us in our thoughts, actions, and intentions. Through love, obedience, daily surrender, and prayer, we cultivate a richer faith, drawing nearer to Jesus and fulfilling His purpose for us. I encourage you to make the commitment daily, finding joy in lifting Jesus high and living out your calling as His devoted follower. Together, we can create a life that glorifies God and serves others, reflecting His light in this world.
By embracing these teachings and trusting in His plan, we open ourselves up to a life filled with peace and fulfillment. Let’s be a community that celebrates the joy found in putting Jesus first and encourages one another on this journey of faith every single day.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
