Ordering Our 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. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4).

 What are the things that you seek most often? What occupies your mind? What do you talk about the most? The scriptures say, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart” (Matthew 15:18). Our speech reveals the affection of our hearts. What do we pursue? What occupies our thoughts? What do we find ourselves talking about most of the time? We have to ask ourselves, am I pursuing things that have eternal value? Or is my life caught up with things that are temporary? Second Corinthians 4:18 says, “The things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

First Timothy 4:7b–8 says, “Train yourself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Bodily training is an athletic term denoting the rigorous, self-sacrificing training an athlete undergoes. It has to do with this earthly life in the here and now. But godly living entails self-discipline in regard to spiritual matters and is profitable for time and eternity. First Corinthians 9:25 says, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” There are legitimate needs we all have, and our Heavenly Father promises to provide for them as we seek first his kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:32–33). There are things that are not necessarily wrong but can crowd out the more important things of God. First Corinthians 6:12 says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be DOMINATED by anything” (emphasis added). Add What dominates your life?

Timothy had his priorities straight. He was an excellent example of being concerned for others and promoting the glory of God. As Paul was preparing to send Timothy to the Philippians, he wrote, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests and not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:20–21). Is the cause of Jesus Christ diminished because you seek your own interests instead of the Lord’s? The apostle Paul told Timothy not to be negligent but to be devoted to his ministry. “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:13–16). There are 3- P’s in this passage: practice, plunge, and persist.

Practice these things (v. 15). Make it a habit to do the things God called you to do! Plunge in, immerse yourself in them (v. 15). Give yourself fully over to serving God. Dive in! Persist in this (v. 16) so your zeal will affect others.

Paul told Timothy to get fired up! “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6).

We don’t ever want our love for Jesus to grow cold. God forbid that we just go through the motions and play church! O God, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:12). Send the wind of your Holy Spirit and fire us up! O Lord, may we repent of our apathies and casual attitudes about the business of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we give ourselves completely to things that count for eternity.

This life will soon pass; only what is done for Christ will last.