The Last Will Be First

THE LAST WILL BE FIRST

Lord Jesus, spiritual pride is the deadliest sin for those who truly desire to serve you. We are nothing without you. Help us to remember that. It is not “our” ministry we lead; it is not “our” church we run; it is not “our” anything. Our very breath is dependent on you. We are nothing without you.

SOLI DEO GLORIA*

My child, you can and will do great things as a result of my Holy Spirit. I work though you and all those who call me Lord. At any moment in time, it is either your self-will that is running your life, or my Holy Spirit. You have a moment-by-moment choice of who is running your life. Many who are first today, in this life, will be last in Heaven. Many who call me Lord do not have me as truly Lord. They are acting in their own strength, and can produce great results, but it is for self-glory, and not for my glory. I seek Christ-followers who are living to bring me glory, and not themselves.

Lord Jesus, how do we ensure that we are only living to bring you glory, and not ourselves?

Test yourself. What is your motive? Are you looking for praise from man, or praise from me?

Lord Jesus, help me to divorce myself of all self-interest. Help me to abandon myself to you.

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Matthew 19:26-30 NIV

LEAVING OUR FIELDS

Lord Jesus, all belongs to you. Our families are not “ours.” Our fields we plow are not “ours.” Our life is not “ours.” We belong to you. Any good we do in this world is “yours.” Help us to live like this, every moment of every day. May we be “last” so that you receive all the glory.

Yes, my child. All glory belongs to me. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

Lord Jesus, this is how then we should live. Nothing means nothing. Let not anything we do be for our glory. May all we do be for your glory, and your glory alone. Help us to remember that being last in this world is goodness. We do not need man’s approval. If we have your approval, then we have all that we need.

CHRIST IS OUR SOLE JUDGE

Yes, my child. My approval is all you need, and it is a moment-by-moment approval. I approve of all that you do when you do whatever you do for my glory. My honor. My praise. Give all credit to me for all that is good, be it done by you or another. Do not honor man. Honor God. And what you have done in your earthly life will stand to be judged by me alone.

Help me Lord Jesus to embrace bring “last” in this world. Amen.

Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
2 May 2023

*Soli Deo gloria (“to God alone be glory”) is the natural outcome of the preceding four solas that characterize the biblical and Reformed doctrine of salvation.

THE FIVE SOLAS

Sola Scriptura, or “God’s Word alone,” maintains that the Bible is the highest source of authority in a Christian’s life.

Sola fide, or “faith alone,” affirms that justification—being made right with God—comes only through faith in Jesus.

Sola gratia, or “grace alone,” says sinners are saved as an unearned gift of God’s grace, “not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8–9).

Sola Christo (“solus Christus”), or “Christ alone,” emphasizes the exclusivity of Jesus’ role in salvation: “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

And soli Deo gloria, or “to the glory of God alone,” says that the purpose of creation, salvation, and everything—including our goal as Christians—is the glory of God, “that God may be all in all” (1 Cor 15:28).