Priorities!

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1

What makes you happy? What is it that drives you?           Is it your family, job, hobbies, sports, children,            grandchildren, or your next vacation? In the modern Christian culture, it seems to be that our happiness,    contentment, joy, and peace come from people and   material things instead of Christ. Scripture never tells     us to put our hopes and desires in the very things that can become idols in our lives.

The modern Christian church has somehow come to the place that disregards the very teaching of Jesus Himself.  We reason that Jesus really didn’t mean, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”  The passage from Luke 14:26 does not mean we actually hate those mentioned, but it means that none of the  relationships can come before our love and obedience to Jesus. However, from the way that many people who claim to be Christians live their lives, they do not love Christ more than anything else.

So, ask yourself what are your priorities? What or who    is most important in your life? If Jesus is not your first response, you may not belong to Christ, and if you are always focused on the pleasure of this world and never dwell on the things above, you might be self-deceived.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying relationships and things of this world that God has provided, but we must first focus on the things above to enjoy what God has given to us here on earth.  John MacArthur puts it like this:

“Paul is not advocating a form of mysticism.      Rather, he desires that the Colossians’                preoccupation with heaven govern their earthly responses. To be preoccupied with heaven is to be preoccupied with the One who reigns there and His purposes, plans, provisions, and power. It is also to view the things, people, and events   of this world through His eyes and with an      eternal perspective. The things above refers to the heavenly realm and hones in on the spiritual values that characterize Christ, such as               tenderness, kindness, meekness, patience,       wisdom, forgiveness, strength, purity, and love. When believers focus on the realities of heaven, they can then truly enjoy the world their         heavenly Father has created.”

When a Pharisee asked Jesus what was the greatest command of the Law, Jesus said,  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Enjoy what God has provided but make sure that your number one priority and your first love is Jesus Christ.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark