Just What Does 'Christ First' Mean?

The following comes from the first chapter, by the same title, of the e-book,'Christian Homeschooling-An Introduction and An Overview' published by OLIN and by the editors of OLIN. We hope you enjoy us sharing bits and pieces of the various work, we offer for sale, and can get a better understanding for certain work before purchasing it.

Just What Does ‘Christ First’ Mean?

First allow us to say that we are only dissecting the words ‘Christ first’ and Christianity in this chapter for better clarity and understanding. In the remainder of this e-book the two are not separate nor are they dealt with as two different elements of the same issue, they are one and the same. We do not want to lead you into thinking that we are attempting to form some ‘off-shoot’ group that would be call ‘Christ first’ Christians as was some reviewers opinions over the first reviews of this writing. In some of our early test market studies and reviews, we received a variety of comments about the way we handled the ‘Christ first’ and Christianity issues. Because we do not wish to ever misinform or explain Christian theology wrong or even lead others to offense not because of what we stated; but rather by and about what they ‘read’ into our explanations’ (their wording); we have re-written this entire chapter to be more understandable to very new Christians, life-long, more theological Christians and for those who are of ‘less-demanding’ (this is their wording not ours) Christianity ‘without all the religion’ (again their wording and emphasis)! Whereas we do not agree with the latter comments, we still wish to not be the cause of any Christian offense. We don’t have to agree on every issue in Christianity to be friends, neighbors and the highest quality givers of Christian homeschooling. We at times do explain issues of ‘the heart of the Gospel ‘in less-diluted strength’ and it is here that some may be able to find fault or problem. We are open to all opinions on the subject of homeschooling however, please do respect if we even have a different view on this one issue of Christianity. With that let’s get on to understanding everything about Christian homeschooling!

In our belief the ‘heart of the Gospel’ informs what Christ did for mankind and also commands us to be kind and giving to others in the same way He was to us, to all others. There are some who do not see the command to become more like Christ and to do like ‘Christ’ has. Understand though in our understanding we then see that a Christian would be so moved to show their appreciation to Jesus for His free gift of eternal salvation in paradise/heaven, that we would be so compelled to show appreciation by ‘going and telling everyone just what Jesus has done and to put the needs of others before ours as an act of humility and service to others in Christ’s name as we see the Gospel commanding. Therefore we see and we pray you do as well, that the Gospel moves us Christians to believe and perform, ‘Christ first’ in all things as an act of servitude and humility of putting others needs before ours just as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did. We belief they are one of the same however, if some do not that is okay as well. We only beg of you to understand our belief and point on the subject long enough to understand how we boldly claim that it is in ‘true Christian homeschooling, to claim ‘Christ first’ in all things and in service to others, in Christ’s’ name, and this all begins starting first with the parents.

We believe that the heart of the Gospel is Jesus Christ crucified for lost sinners as payment and penalty and the only way of opening and re-connecting of mankind with God our Father for eternal life in paradise/heaven.

Without Jesus, we sinners would be lost and condemned to everlasting separation from God our Father in hell. Jesus paid the price of our sin and sinful lives and in doing this self-sacrifice for mankind the gates of heaven are open and available for all who cleave to the forgiveness won and paid for as a free gift by Christ on the cross. With Christ we are all things, without Christ we are nothing and life would be dreadful, dreary and completely meaningless and pointless.

With Christ we can daily enjoy all the abundant gifts from God our Father because of being once again connected and not separated by sin because of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection from the dead, with the full assurance of eternal salvation when our time here is up; as long as we are still humbly cleaving to and believing fully that Christ Jesus has paid fully for our salvation and entrance into heaven as a free gift and not because of us in any way now or then. Please re-read this paragraph until it becomes completely clear and it begins to give you that dopey little contented chuckle and feeling deep down within you that comes from ‘knowing’. Yes, we do understand again that there are some who say there is more to it all than simply faith, however, we are all entitled to our deep felt and held beliefs while leaving open the door for understanding just what it is that makes the other person who they truly are.

For us there really is no other way for us than to begin all in Christ and in service to another as Christ did for mankind. When we say ‘Christ first’ it truly means to us that there is no greater importance in this life than to seek Christ and to learn His way of righteousness as commanded in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. We understand this command to be a needed daily ‘maintenance’ to all that we do in Christ’s name. We understand just how difficult it is for most to understand that we attempt in all we do, to do for today in Christ’s name and to not be anxious for tomorrow because we truly are in God’s care and we have come to trust in Him and know that tomorrow will ‘take care’ of itself regardless of whatever emotion and worry we could muster one day in advance. Does this mean we don’t make plans or prepare for a future? Of course not; we do however stress that the highest daily conscientious intention is to be as Christ was and is in all we are and do for others. Because we are sinful beings this requires a great deal of daily attention and has become the premiere importance for us and all Christians while in this short life.

Another way to explain what being a ‘Christ first’ Christian is; is that each and every one of us have a ‘mission’ that begins with this life and will end with us entering heaven. The ‘mission’ is to live as Christ did and would want us to while being as ‘Christ-like’ as possible in all we do and putting the needs of others ahead of ours as Christ did for us, and doing all this in His name. Our sacrifice for others is more in all we do as a life-long ‘mission’ rather than in any one specific action one could point to. Because we believe and teach that we are only here for a short time; we look to our time here as merely a continual learning lesson of how to be more Christ like and in service to others in His name. We also want to then share the story of mankind’s salvation with unbelievers in hope of ‘winning’ them for Christ. All this together with those things we do with our unique God given skills (the very activities we do well, without a great deal of effort or struggle) in preparation of being called home to heaven.

All that we do as Christians is in an attempt to please God our Father as we continually attempt to be more Christ like in all ways while in service to others. Whereas good grades and doing very good in everything and anything one does, is nice and pleasing to God; however, it can not be the final stop or the only reason to be for self reward or production of comfort only. Whereas one may seek higher educational degrees simply to be paid more and to feel ‘clout’ or a sense of importance while in another’s presents. We on the other hand wish for our children to be very good scholars so as to be able to have higher degrees of learning, in order to make more income so they can then in turn assist many more in Christ’s name and then have a little more left over for them and their families comfort, than they would of without the higher degrees from being good scholars. However, we need not ‘sit-on-the-side-lines’ waiting for us to begin making a certain set amount of money before we can begin assisting others in Christ’s name! Whatever we have, whatever we do, whatever assistance or sharing, we do it gladly and willingly in service to God and in Christ’s name. This is what it is to live the true meaning of our lives and the heart of the message of the Gospel.

Whether we homeschool our children or not, we understand that the role of Christian parents is to teach and to show our children how to live as God would want them to while in service to others in Christ’s name. We teach the very truth of this world and of the coming and everlasting kingdom of God so that our children in everything they do, they do with Christ first in mind and with the intension of service to others, in many different and various forms and levels. These different levels and forms of sacrifice don’t have to be painful or amazingly large and/or a wonderful new break-through to be ‘good-enough’. We believe that whatever we do, we should do with Christ first in mind and in service to others in His name. These actions will be seen as good and useful, through Christ and His sacrifice of Himself for us, by God our Father and therefore blessed and increased!

However, it is very important that you remember that we only do in response to what Christ has done for us first! We are in no way earning our salvation by good works for another in Christ’s name. We do what we do for others because we feel inclined to and want to follow Jesus’ supreme example and hopefully in the process please him, to show Him just how grateful we are for His sacrifice for us and all of mankind. Only Jesus earned and paid for our eternal salvation! If our salvation was left to us to accomplish by good works we would be much closer to hell even in light of our very best efforts. All that we do in this life is with Christ first in mind, what He has done for us and mankind, and in service to others as we follow His example of self-sacrifice. A Christian could be a miserable failure in every respect of the word here while in this short life on earth; however if he sought Christ first and then all his actions began first with Christ and His salvation, in service to others in Jesus’ name, he would be considered great in heaven!

Because this is what we believe and teach we stress good performance in school for our children only after they are a young practicing ‘Christ first’ Christians in service to others, in whatever way, in Christ’s name. We start teaching this to our children very early and in small, easy to understand value-based lessons. We do everything possible to keep up with our children to not allow them to ‘miss the point’ or the very reason of why they do or wish to do for a career/vocation. Whenever asked, the highest goal the children of our ‘modern’ times stride for, fight for and even stress over, is to be famous and therefore very rich! They even will often admit that they may have to do a ‘few things’ ‘not so nice’ or in a ‘not-so-fair way’ to others to get to where they want. Getting there is much more important than how one gets there! When then asked what would they do with all the riches, most recite a long ‘laundry list’ of personal ‘toys’ and comforts for themselves, and then as a last thought they say “oh yes, and give some to charity”. We know you can see the difference we are trying to instill in our children compared to the many modern examples of greed, gluttony, covetousness and ‘whatever’ to get what one wants! We truly believe that the current generation is the most egocentric and truly confused generation that has ever been raised! Now, before we begin pointing fingers at various ‘others’, allow us to say that they didn’t learn these terrible lessons on their own. Rather than assess responsibility and blame we will give an example how we don’t allow our children to consider learning one set of skills over another just because this other set will produce more income than another-right or wrong in their assessment, it doesn’t matter we seek to resolve this ‘fatal error’ in their thinking and aspirations as early as possible. Because as ‘Christians everything we do, we must first do with what Christ has done for mankind in the forefront of our minds! Only in this way can our intentions and natural humanistic ambitions be bridled and focused upon the highest good and not just to a comfortable and inactive lifestyle.

However, we do teach that it is not wrong to want to have or to have a very comfortable lifestyle based on a higher level of learning, special higher scholastic abilities/degrees and/or talent. However, when we do ask our children for the reason and/or motivation for doing what they wish, in doing so we will discover and learn their true reason and intentions; and therefore make corrections accordingly as early and as often as necessary before it becomes the colossal ‘fatal flaw’ we stated above. It’s okay to want and it’s okay to get; it’s just not okay to do nothing until you have got what you were waiting for, or to want many more earthly comforts than heavenly accomplishments of the helping of others in Christ’s name.

We hope you can see just how easy it all begins to flow when one starts first with the creed of ‘Christ first’ in all things. On the other hand, what if one could actually gained the whole world as truly their own, completely and totally theirs; but didn’t have Christ and His salvation and/or didn’t begin all things first with Christ and His sacrifice in mind, then one really had nothing but dirt passing through their fingers and only for a very brief moment!

We also hope you can see that the ‘Christ first’ living starts from a completely different approach than the ‘what would Jesus do’ culture. There is nothing wrong with that culture or in the asking of that question to help keep one on track. We do however believe and teach that with everything, first begun with the daily ‘Christ first’ life-long ‘mission’ in mind, will always end in and of service to another, as Christ’s example has taught, and being blessed and increased by God our Father. We believe that the question would not be raised so often, or come to mind in moments of confusion or ‘hard-times’, if before the first action was begun the over all intention or life-long ‘mission’ was begun in the right mind-set of ‘Christ first’ and in service to others-first. However, it isn’t a bad idea to ask the question to help keep one in focus and on purpose with their life-long ‘mission’ or used as an example for others to understand Christian thought.

Please understand that this is an e-book about Christian homeschooling and not about in-depth Christian theology. We have many other e-books on theology and related subjects available at our e-bookstore. Therefore all we have decided to give was this brief explanation of what it is and how it is, in our opinion, to be applied to ‘true Christian homeschooling’.

Also understand that the entire debate over homeschooling begins right here with the ‘Christ first’ followers and those who look to the ‘here’ as all there is and so ‘we must go for the gusto because we only live once’. For yes we are only living here for a very brief moment. However, we need to be more concerned with Christ’s example of service of others. For without Christ we are nothing, we deserve nothing and we will receive nothing! We, because of sin, are completely separate from God and bound for everlasting hell. With Christ, He paid all the penalties for our sin and re-connects us with and to God our Father. For this we are so inclined and so extremely delighted to do all for the glory of Christ in service to others.

Now because this is how we believe and teach, we could hardly care about this group’s ‘agenda’ or that groups underhanded long-term goals that we may disagree in principle with. We really can’t waste a moment of time teaching our children how to physically argue and verbally fight more effectively; or to twist and spin the truth enough to cover a boldface lie via clever debate. We especially don’t have the time to teach that humans ‘accidentally’, and not on purpose, came from or ‘evolved’ from apes or monkeys! Because we teach that time here is so very short and so desperately in need of service to so many needy others; that these other agendas and philosophical thoughts truly aren’t important enough to us or in need of any more than a very brief mention to our children during the homeschooling day just to perhaps lighten the over all mood for a moment!

Unfortunately for those who do not understand practicing Christians who live the ‘Christ first’ way, we have been told that we appear aloof unconcerned. We even appear to many to be religious ‘odd balls’, because whenever one seriously puts Christ’s example as their goal while in this life, “they must be some sort of goofy ‘Jesus Freak’ after all we have bills to pay and need food to eat! We only hope we don’t appear as anything more strange or foreign and end up driving more people away rather than to us and our Savior Christ Jesus! We are truly and completely the opposite of how they say we are or appear to others who may not understand. However we will leave room for all opinions while in hope that doing so will leave open the ways for more open dialog and understanding.

We understand that the very first quandary others have with Christians who actively live their ‘Christ first’ motto is that, our role-model Jesus Christ boldly taught that ‘true altruism’ was the highest, most revered and respected attribute to be sought after by us as our highest life goal. Too many of our ‘modern-day’ public school teachers and leaders have come to believe that ‘true altruism’ is really not good in any shape or form because it involves the sacrifice of oneself for another. They say that any ‘sacrifice’ is where it all begins to go bad. Naturally we respectfully disagree however, we leave open the way to further explanations when the time is “right’!

Because of these distinct differences we understand that we may appear to others to be ‘not in step’ or ‘out of touch’ because of our beliefs. Whereas no one ever wishes to be ‘strange’ or ‘weird’; this would only be acceptable If it allowed us the freedom or right to teach and raise our children within a true ‘Christ first’ Christian environment as we homeschooled them. It would almost be worth it to be called ‘weird’ if we could simply homeschool our children into maturity and they became very well balanced, scholarly and engaging Christian young adults attempting to live as Jesus Christ did! If they continued in the service of others while or at all times leading more unbelievers to Christ and to His precious free gift of eternal salvation. What more could a parent want? So if the name calling works for those that attack and excuse you of being ‘strange’ or ‘weird’ go with it as long as it allows you to achieve the very same results!

Yes, it is also true that we have been known to say, without any reservations, ‘our sides’ version of the above name calling due to our faith. We would rather be considered by others as ‘unsophisticated and unschooled’ and still heaven-bound; rather than to be ‘considered’ ‘worldly and scholarly’ and bound for hell! Now I’m sure they wouldn’t see the humor in that statement, so it might be better if we just kept it to ourselves!

We seriously and simply wish to teach our children to be truly naïve and illiterate to all the world’s sin, abuse of one another, and over-sexualized climate; to be scholarly and eruditely in God’s ways while being of service to others in Christ’s name! This is not completely possible in today’s ‘modern’ public school system; we must homeschool to achieve this fully!

Undertaking the enormous and expensive task of homeschooling our children in this ‘Christ first’ Christian way is the very first example we give to our children of personal sacrifice for another, in Jesus’ name.

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Theresa Twogood is Executive Director of OLIN e-Publishing Company, Denver Colorado- http://olin.tk .. This and any article here or at our main site is available for free re-posting. All we do ask is that any URL'S and this byline remain intact. Thanks and God bless!

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