first things first definition
first things first means that maintaining the peace of the institution called the Mis- souri Synod must take a back seat to the clear teaching of God's Word. "First things first" means that we must stick with what Holy Scripture says, and if doing that causes a disturbance in the Synod, then so be it! "First things first" means that the truth of God is more im- portant than maintaining an illu- sion of peace which is no peace at all. If we in the Synod are willing to put "first things first," then (under God's grace), we are confident He will bring about a peace in our Synod that is acceptable in His sight.