Our Scripture reading today is 1 Peter 3:13-17.
Verse 15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
There are numerous people and tasks vying for the centre of our hearts. Family, work, friends, and myself are just to name a few. The admonition we receive this morning from the Apostle Peter is to only allow the Lord God to have the centre of our heart. “The simple meaning of the injunction is that at the very centre of life there is to be one Lord, and that is Christ.... Other lords are permitted to invade the sanctuary of the heart, and to exercise dominion over us. Our own selfish desires, the opinion of others, worldly wisdom, the pressure of circumstances, these and many other lords command us, and we turn away our simple and complete allegiance to our one Lord.” (Morgan)
His will and kingdom are to be considered first in our lives. Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Memorizing this verse and mastering it are two different subjects. As I grow more in sanctifying the Lord in my heart it will lead to my being able to communicate about Him in a more effective way. My inward growth will lead to an outward expression of His working in my life. As the song writer wrote, we must "Let Him have His way with thee."