Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29–31
When I first learned the truth of the Gospel it wasn’t long before the Christians I got to know shared some great helps for growing in grace. One of them was the J.O.Y. principle which helped me understand the way to live out my faith. It is about prioritizing my heart’s affections.
Jesus first
Jesus first is defined by obedience to His commands. (John 14:15) This also includes the Law of God (Matthew 5:18) So putting God/Jesus first means walking in obedience.
Others second
Others second means that I care more about my neighbor (others) more than I do myself. My wife is to be prioritized above all others, then our children and grandchildren as they were given to me in covenant and prodigy.
Yourself last
Yourself/Myself last is simply to think or prioritize myself last.
I used to think this was really basic stuff and everyone who called upon the Lord knew it and would strive to live it. After 20 years of being involved in Biblical Counseling it would seem that assumption was as flawed as it could be. So I share it here and hope that it stirs the embers of other “70’s Christians” to get it fired up again in our current circles.