“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).
As a great grandfather, son, husband, minister, and businessman, I juggle a variety of priorities. However, no higher priority exists than maintaining an intimate relationship with God. Spiritual priorities transcend other relationships and impact every area of our lives. As Jesus explained above, priorities are of paramount importance.
Scriptures list seven priorities, referred to as “one thing,” which provide insight to help establish our lifestyle priorities.
ONE THING:
#1 – HAPPENS TO ALL – Ecc. 3:19: “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”
Solomon, writing from a natural, unregenerated man’s perspective, points to hopelessness of life without a Savior. Man’s highest priority is to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Faith in Christ brings abundance, fulfillment, and purpose now and assurance of eternal life.
#2 – LACKING – Mk. 10:21: “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, ‘One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
Receiving Christ into your life is first priority; however, our spiritual growth does not stop there. We are to grow up in Christ and mature in his character through the process of sanctification, being set apart for His purpose. Phil. 2:12-13 explains, “Therefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” To know truth is to act on truth and do it. Obedience presumes action, not head knowledge alone. The action should be dictated by faith in order to reap spiritual results.
Sanctification is an ongoing process of dying to our own will and desires, taking on Christ’s. “Taking up the cross” (Mk. 10:21) signifies death through crucifixion. When we take up the cross, we have been crucified to worldly things and walk in the power of resurrected life in Christ. Sanctification’s ultimate goal is resurrection life; however, there can be no resurrection without a death. Gal. 2:20 states, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Any area of life not subjected to the cross will eventually be a stumbling block in being conformed to Christ’s image. Sanctification is not accomplished through self-determination or human effort, but through the power of the Holy Spirit working out of us what Christ has put in.
#3 – KNOWN – Jn. 9:25 – He said, “whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”
The great commission is Jesus’ priority for all believers. Matt. 28:18-20 calls us to share the gospel and make disciples with his delegated authority. You do not have to be an evangelist, pastor, teacher, or even a seasoned Christian to share the “Good News” of Jesus with others. Any born-again believer is more than qualified to share Jesus with others. All you need is an experience in Christ. Have you been cleansed from your sin burden by the blood of Jesus? Have you been delivered from an addiction or besetting sin by the power of the Holy Spirit? Has Christ healed your body of an affliction or disease? If so, then you have good news that will change someone’s life eternally.
Recently I ordered a coffee at McDonald’s drive-through. It was bitterly cold and the busiest time of day for the drive-through. As I approached the pick-up window, my coffee was ready and waiting. I took it and thanked the young lady handing it to me. “Hurry back and God loves you” was her prompt reply. She quickly closed the window, smiled brightly, and prepared the next order. I drove off profoundly inspired by this simple three-word gospel message, “God loves you.” The Great Commission is a 24/7 activity that is a lifestyle not to be compartmentalized into Sunday or Wednesday nights only. We must constantly look for opportunities.
#4 – ABOUT TIME – 2 Pet. 3:8 – “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Time is a precious commodity. Paul exhorts us to redeem the time (Eph. 5:16, Col. 4:5-6), so that our lives are not wasted by mere human existence. The scriptures point to the culmination of God’s earthly time-table being imminent. Adam to Abraham was a time span of two thousand years (2 days); Abraham to Jesus was two thousand years (2 days); and from Jesus to present time was two thousand years (7 days). In the creation account, Gen. 1:27, God created man on the sixth day, and on the seventh day, he rested. Scriptures point to God’s land lease to mankind being six thousand years or six days. Time is running short and our priorities must be planned accordingly.
#5 – NEEDED – Lk. 10:42 – “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Martha served and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, establishing relationship. Mary understood that intimacy with the Eternal One was of higher priority than a fancy meal offering temporary bodily satisfaction. Martha was performance-driven; Mary was driven to Jesus to fill the spiritual void only He could fill. Jn. 12:1-8 portrays Mary displaying intimacy in worship by washing Jesus’ feet and drying them with her hair. Mary understood intimacy to be a high priority with the Master.
#6 – DESIRED – Ps. 27:4 – “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
David understood covenant relationship and worship of God. I Chron. 16:4-43 describes David’s tabernacle which had sixteen ministries praising and worshipping God twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for thirty-six years. Acts 15:16 speaks of a prophecy in which the Lord will build again David’s tabernacle where He is worshipped in the midst of His people. I Cor. 3:16 describes His people as the temple of the Holy Spirit. God’s priority is to make man the habitation of His Holy Spirit in worship and unity of purpose.
#7 – TO DO - Phil. 3:13-14 – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Lk. 17:32 states, “Remember Lot’s wife.” In other words, don’t look back! Satan distorts our vision when we look to the past. If we dwell on the past, we will not only lose spiritual momentum, but our vision will also be distorted. The Israelites looked back to the garlic and leeks of Egypt, forgetting the bondage of slavery. Spiritual momentum can be gained and maintained as we give ourselves wholly to God’s purpose. Rom. 12:1-2 compels us to become a sacrifice to God, renewing our minds so we can flow in God’s perfect will. Pressing forward in partnership with God through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish His purpose is of high priority in God’s kingdom.
Let us consider God’s one things as we set our priorities. Being born again, growing in Christ, sharing Jesus with others, redeeming time, having intimacy with God, worshipping, and gaining spiritual momentum are priorities which will bring you Christ’s abundance (Jn. 10:10). May God bless you mightily! AMEN!
As a great grandfather, son, husband, minister, and businessman, I juggle a variety of priorities. However, no higher priority exists than maintaining an intimate relationship with God. Spiritual priorities transcend other relationships and impact every area of our lives. As Jesus explained above, priorities are of paramount importance.
Scriptures list seven priorities, referred to as “one thing,” which provide insight to help establish our lifestyle priorities.
ONE THING:
#1 – HAPPENS TO ALL – Ecc. 3:19: “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”
Solomon, writing from a natural, unregenerated man’s perspective, points to hopelessness of life without a Savior. Man’s highest priority is to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Faith in Christ brings abundance, fulfillment, and purpose now and assurance of eternal life.
#2 – LACKING – Mk. 10:21: “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, ‘One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
Receiving Christ into your life is first priority; however, our spiritual growth does not stop there. We are to grow up in Christ and mature in his character through the process of sanctification, being set apart for His purpose. Phil. 2:12-13 explains, “Therefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” To know truth is to act on truth and do it. Obedience presumes action, not head knowledge alone. The action should be dictated by faith in order to reap spiritual results.
Sanctification is an ongoing process of dying to our own will and desires, taking on Christ’s. “Taking up the cross” (Mk. 10:21) signifies death through crucifixion. When we take up the cross, we have been crucified to worldly things and walk in the power of resurrected life in Christ. Sanctification’s ultimate goal is resurrection life; however, there can be no resurrection without a death. Gal. 2:20 states, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Any area of life not subjected to the cross will eventually be a stumbling block in being conformed to Christ’s image. Sanctification is not accomplished through self-determination or human effort, but through the power of the Holy Spirit working out of us what Christ has put in.
#3 – KNOWN – Jn. 9:25 – He said, “whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”
The great commission is Jesus’ priority for all believers. Matt. 28:18-20 calls us to share the gospel and make disciples with his delegated authority. You do not have to be an evangelist, pastor, teacher, or even a seasoned Christian to share the “Good News” of Jesus with others. Any born-again believer is more than qualified to share Jesus with others. All you need is an experience in Christ. Have you been cleansed from your sin burden by the blood of Jesus? Have you been delivered from an addiction or besetting sin by the power of the Holy Spirit? Has Christ healed your body of an affliction or disease? If so, then you have good news that will change someone’s life eternally.
Recently I ordered a coffee at McDonald’s drive-through. It was bitterly cold and the busiest time of day for the drive-through. As I approached the pick-up window, my coffee was ready and waiting. I took it and thanked the young lady handing it to me. “Hurry back and God loves you” was her prompt reply. She quickly closed the window, smiled brightly, and prepared the next order. I drove off profoundly inspired by this simple three-word gospel message, “God loves you.” The Great Commission is a 24/7 activity that is a lifestyle not to be compartmentalized into Sunday or Wednesday nights only. We must constantly look for opportunities.
#4 – ABOUT TIME – 2 Pet. 3:8 – “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Time is a precious commodity. Paul exhorts us to redeem the time (Eph. 5:16, Col. 4:5-6), so that our lives are not wasted by mere human existence. The scriptures point to the culmination of God’s earthly time-table being imminent. Adam to Abraham was a time span of two thousand years (2 days); Abraham to Jesus was two thousand years (2 days); and from Jesus to present time was two thousand years (7 days). In the creation account, Gen. 1:27, God created man on the sixth day, and on the seventh day, he rested. Scriptures point to God’s land lease to mankind being six thousand years or six days. Time is running short and our priorities must be planned accordingly.
#5 – NEEDED – Lk. 10:42 – “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Martha served and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, establishing relationship. Mary understood that intimacy with the Eternal One was of higher priority than a fancy meal offering temporary bodily satisfaction. Martha was performance-driven; Mary was driven to Jesus to fill the spiritual void only He could fill. Jn. 12:1-8 portrays Mary displaying intimacy in worship by washing Jesus’ feet and drying them with her hair. Mary understood intimacy to be a high priority with the Master.
#6 – DESIRED – Ps. 27:4 – “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
David understood covenant relationship and worship of God. I Chron. 16:4-43 describes David’s tabernacle which had sixteen ministries praising and worshipping God twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for thirty-six years. Acts 15:16 speaks of a prophecy in which the Lord will build again David’s tabernacle where He is worshipped in the midst of His people. I Cor. 3:16 describes His people as the temple of the Holy Spirit. God’s priority is to make man the habitation of His Holy Spirit in worship and unity of purpose.
#7 – TO DO - Phil. 3:13-14 – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Lk. 17:32 states, “Remember Lot’s wife.” In other words, don’t look back! Satan distorts our vision when we look to the past. If we dwell on the past, we will not only lose spiritual momentum, but our vision will also be distorted. The Israelites looked back to the garlic and leeks of Egypt, forgetting the bondage of slavery. Spiritual momentum can be gained and maintained as we give ourselves wholly to God’s purpose. Rom. 12:1-2 compels us to become a sacrifice to God, renewing our minds so we can flow in God’s perfect will. Pressing forward in partnership with God through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish His purpose is of high priority in God’s kingdom.
Let us consider God’s one things as we set our priorities. Being born again, growing in Christ, sharing Jesus with others, redeeming time, having intimacy with God, worshipping, and gaining spiritual momentum are priorities which will bring you Christ’s abundance (Jn. 10:10). May God bless you mightily! AMEN!