JESUS IS BEING UPSTAGED!
     Scripture affirms the absolute centrality of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the "ONLY begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:17). Not only was everything made "by Him," it was also made "FOR Him" (Col 1:16). In the salvation of mankind, God works exclusively through His Son. He is the only "way" to the  Father, and no man can come to God apart from Him. He is the "First and the  Last," the "Beginning and the End," the "Alpha and the Omega," and the "Author and Finisher of our faith" (Rev 1:8,11; Heb 12:2). In this "day of salvation," God  begins nothing without Jesus, and there are no conclusions apart from Him! He is also everything between, or, as Scripture puts it, "Him that filleth all in all" (Eph  1:23). Unfortunately, Jesus is all too often viewed differently by the religious community.

     Imagining themselves to be servants of God, professed spiritual leaders  emphasize things other than the "Lord's Christ." The heart of their message is not the Lamb of God, and the foundation upon which they build is not His Sonship. The "Holy Spirit" is the primary theme of some religious bodies, while the  "church" is emphasized by others. However, the Holy Spirit and the church find their significance in Christ.  Even lower views are promoted by the "God and country" people, as well as social reformers and those majoring on domestic relationships.

     Jesus is the One Who "built" all things. As such, He is "greater than the house" which He has built, and thereby has "more honor" (Heb 3:3). It is never innocent to upstage Jesus. Those who dwarf Jesus by distorted emphases on "things," circumstances, and temporal life, not only do Jesus a great disservice, they place  themselves in eternal jeopardy!

     If you are a public representative of Christ, see to it that you allow nothing to upstage Him! If this does not appear popular, remember the words of the Savior Himself: "If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor" (John 12:26). Hold  on to that! You will not be disappointed, and you will not be ashamed!

PRAYER POINT: Father, In thank You for exalting Your Son, and giving Him all power in heaven and in earth. I know from Your Word that You have placed everything in His hand. In His blessed name, give me grace to fully embrace Him and declare Him as the Preeminent One.

-- MONDAY: THE CHURCH IS THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH --