The Two Top Priorities
If we had to boil life down to two priorities, what would they be? Now, I know that survival and shelter might come first on a very literal list of priorities, but that is not what I am talking about now. I am asking for us all to think of the two most important things to emphasize in life once our basic existence is taken care of like it is for 99% of us. What should be the two top things to occupy our thoughts and to receive our attention each day?
I would submit to you that this is an easy question in light of God's Word and the realities of life. However, most people do not have a clue that these two things should be their priorities. That is the sad thing about our lives in America today.
The first priority has to be sharing the Good News of Jesus with other people so they can be saved and have an eternity with Jesus in Heaven, instead of punishment in Hell forever. What else even comes close to that need? Nothing comes close. Eternity is so much more important than 80 or 100 years of life here in this world that there is no comparison. Jesus has made it clear that this is our commission as believers. Nothing tops it.
What about number two? It is related to the first one, but it is distinct, too. Our second priority must be to be like Jesus. Romans 8:29 tells us that God has that as His goal for every believer, to be conformed to the image of Christ. If we are like Jesus, we act and talk like Jesus, so that would solve all of the earthly problems in the world. We would love perfectly, and live according to God's will, not the ways of this world and Satan.
I have been watching the political conventions some lately. They make a lot of points and a lot of attacks on the other side. All the while they miss the point. No one can change a person's heart except Jesus, and the world will never be a better place because of better government. It will be a better place when more people know Jesus and live like Jesus. Think about it. What would the world be like today, if everyone was a believer, and they were like Jesus? We would have none of the problems we have today. Now, that is not going to happen totally, but still the goal should be to get as close to that as possible, not just for the sake of this life, but for eternity.
See what I mean? That is why those are the only two top priorities that make sense. They make sense for every individual and for every family and for every church. What else matters in the end if we die and go to hell or if our loved ones and friends die and go to hell? What makes for a worse life here on earth than people living like the Devil, instead of living like Jesus? Everything else pales in comparison to these two things.
Therefore, having said all of that, are these two things the priorities in your life each day? If not, what are you going to do to make these two things your two top priorities? What are you going to tell Jesus, when He asks you how you did with the top two priorities? It well worth considering.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 146-147 and I Corinthians 15:1-28.
I would submit to you that this is an easy question in light of God's Word and the realities of life. However, most people do not have a clue that these two things should be their priorities. That is the sad thing about our lives in America today.
The first priority has to be sharing the Good News of Jesus with other people so they can be saved and have an eternity with Jesus in Heaven, instead of punishment in Hell forever. What else even comes close to that need? Nothing comes close. Eternity is so much more important than 80 or 100 years of life here in this world that there is no comparison. Jesus has made it clear that this is our commission as believers. Nothing tops it.
What about number two? It is related to the first one, but it is distinct, too. Our second priority must be to be like Jesus. Romans 8:29 tells us that God has that as His goal for every believer, to be conformed to the image of Christ. If we are like Jesus, we act and talk like Jesus, so that would solve all of the earthly problems in the world. We would love perfectly, and live according to God's will, not the ways of this world and Satan.
I have been watching the political conventions some lately. They make a lot of points and a lot of attacks on the other side. All the while they miss the point. No one can change a person's heart except Jesus, and the world will never be a better place because of better government. It will be a better place when more people know Jesus and live like Jesus. Think about it. What would the world be like today, if everyone was a believer, and they were like Jesus? We would have none of the problems we have today. Now, that is not going to happen totally, but still the goal should be to get as close to that as possible, not just for the sake of this life, but for eternity.
See what I mean? That is why those are the only two top priorities that make sense. They make sense for every individual and for every family and for every church. What else matters in the end if we die and go to hell or if our loved ones and friends die and go to hell? What makes for a worse life here on earth than people living like the Devil, instead of living like Jesus? Everything else pales in comparison to these two things.
Therefore, having said all of that, are these two things the priorities in your life each day? If not, what are you going to do to make these two things your two top priorities? What are you going to tell Jesus, when He asks you how you did with the top two priorities? It well worth considering.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 146-147 and I Corinthians 15:1-28.