What would happen if every professed Christian decided today that following Jesus Christ in faithful discipleship and willing obedience to His instruction, would be the number one priority in life?
Many people who profess to be Christians are afraid to make this decision although it is a prerequisite to being one of Jesus’ followers. The reason is because of the devil’s lies. The devil tempts people to distrust God when they are perplexed by circumstances or dealing with poverty or sickness because God has allowed such conditions to exist.
A more enticing temptation is the offer of the kingdom of this world. It was this that caused the fall of the early church in the first few hundred years after Christ. It works like this: “By the one who had revolted in heaven the kingdoms of this world were offered Christ, to buy His homage to the principles of evil; but He would not be bought; He had come to establish a kingdom of righteousness, and He would not abandon His purpose. With the same temptation Satan approaches men, and here he has better success than with Christ. To men he offers the kingdom of this world on condition that they will acknowledge his supremacy. He requires that they sacrifice integrity, disregard conscience, indulge selfishness. … While he allures them with the hope of worldly dominion, he gains dominion over the soul.” The Desire of Ages, 130
But amid all the pretense and false professions by millions of Christians, God has always had a remnant, for whom following Christ in faithful discipleship and in obedience to His word is the first priority in life.
“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word.” The Great Controversy, 464