Title: Priorities in the Christian Life
Contents
Matthew 6:33 Priority in Christian life
In English, God is written as 'God'. However, if the order of the alphabet is reversed, it becomes 'Dog'. The fact is that if a Christian confuses his priorities and lives, he reduces God to the position of apologetic dog. In other words, if we reverse the priorities God has set in our lives, we will be living a life that dishonors God. Today, we are going to learn together about the very important priorities in life for Christians.
An emergency patient was brought to a hospital late at night. He was in a car accident with broken bones and blood all over his body. An artery had ruptured. His trauma exposed the serious condition of the patient. The doctor in charge of the emergency room first took first aid measures such as stopping bleeding with a compression bandage, and urgently called an orthopedic surgeon for surgery on the broken arm and leg bones.
But before the orthopedic surgeon arrived, the patient had suffocated. The reason was that the doctor was unaware that this patient's airway was blocked and focused on other treatments. Ladies and gentlemen, in the treatment of emergency patients, it is said that the first priority and basic is to check whether there is breathing and to secure an airway so that the patient can breathe freely. Because the doctor couldn't do the most basic and the first thing like this, in the end, the doctor unfortunately put the patient to death. Of course, the doctor did his best. But those best efforts didn't pay off. It's because you've chosen the wrong priorities.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have the first and most important things to do: priorities. Those priorities may vary from person to person. People try to do the most important thing for their happiness first. But what must we do first to be happy? If we only live for one day's happiness, we'll live by playing like grasshoppers in children's fables. But if you want to live happily in winter, you will work hard like an ant and prepare for winter.
The same is true for students. For today's happiness, even if you want to play hard right now, studying is for the sake of your future happiness. However, if you have a child who is unaware of this fact and just likes to play, parents teach their child to have a sore ear. “Hey, study hard now. If you're late, you can't study. You regret it like me.”
As well as students, husbands have priorities as husbands, and wives have priorities as wives. Take the case of your wife. When you go out, you put on your makeup, isn't there an order for this makeup too? Washing clean is the priority first, then basic makeup, and then detailed makeup. Then spray on perfume and attach accessories. But try changing the order of this makeup and spraying hairspray without shampooing your hair. It looks fine right now, but after a while, my head is itchy and there is a strange smell. It's because I didn't do the washing first, which is the top priority.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you ignore your priorities and run in a hurry, there will be a lot of loopholes. The quick way may seem good right now, but even if it takes time, taking the steps step by step will lay the foundation for a longer, more comfortable and happy life. God wants us to keep these priorities so that we can live happily on earth and in heaven. Then, what is the priority of our Christian life that God has given us? Today's text says: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
But people often say this. “God, if this goes well, we will worship without missing a Sunday.” “My children are young and it is difficult now. Just wait until you have children.” But God says in today's text: “You must worship first. Then you will be in charge of your life.” “Live a life that focuses on God’s work first. Then I will guide you through the rest of your life.”
In other words, when we seek the kingdom of God first, God will provide for the rest. Guys, who is in charge of the business? Who is in charge of the child? Who can give us time and opportunity? Only God. We cannot make even a single hair black or white by our own strength. In other words, human strength seems great, but it is so insignificant in the sight of God. Ultimately, we need God's help.
However, if you ask God for help after doing things in the wrong order, there are times when it is difficult for God to help you. For example, when repairing a car or machine, order is important. Especially when I came to Canada, I noticed that almost all of the furniture was assembled. But as those of you who have failed while assembling, know how important the order is? How many times does the venerable tower fall because it is out of order? How many defectives do you get because you don't follow the order?
The same is true. If it is difficult to do the things God has set in the order, “God, please help me.” You have to, mess around with the order and say, "God, help me." Then God said, “Child, I would help, but what you have done so far is in vain because the order is wrong. So, let’s break it down and do it again.” So how exhausting and a waste of time? Therefore, living according to God's priorities as soon as possible is the secret to living a happy life.
For example, let's say you are cooking rice. Firstly, there is delicious and good rice. Secondly, there are expensive pots. Thirdly, there is water, and fourthly, there is a gas stove. All the ingredients for cooking rice are prepared. However, no matter how good the ingredients are, if the order is wrong, you cannot cook delicious rice. If you cook rice with only rice on the fire without pouring water, it will definitely burn black. You won't get the delicious rice you expected.
Why? Is it because you don't have the ingredients? no. The materials were of the highest quality. But it's because the order is wrong. So are our lives. The order of life is so important. You can expect a beautiful tomorrow by doing what you need to do first. If you live without seeking the kingdom of God first, eventually your life will be distorted.
Ladies and gentlemen, only our God knows our tomorrow. God has gloriously prepared our future. The problem is that we follow the priorities that God considers important. No matter how busy we are, we must first seek his kingdom and his righteousness. Just as breaking the order of the day makes the day tiring and heartbreaking, so disobeying the order of life will eventually make life tiring. Tomorrow's happiness is not guaranteed.
I often start my day with a prayer for the order of the day. Order is very important, especially when the whole family is moving. For example: We have one car in our house. However, there are things in the family that everyone has to work separately on that day. In this case, the order of the places to go is decided in advance. It's kind of like making a schedule. If this order is wrong, you will go back the way you came. Time is wasted according to time, gas prices are in line with gas prices, work is less efficient, and you feel bad about it. In other words, it feels good to have all the family members return to their homes while watching the work one after another in order.
Just as it feels good to do your daily routine in order, it feels good to live your life in order in the end. Ladies and gentlemen, we Christians have a priority in life that God has given us. There is a priority of matter, there is a priority of time, there is a priority of the body, there is a priority of work. If you live according to these priorities, eventually God will give you everything as He promised. Glory to God and great joy and happiness to us.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you are busy living in this foreign land, there are times when your priorities in life that God has set for you are disturbed. It is easy to live a life that is self-centered rather than God-centered. Of course, I am important, my children are important, and my family is important, but more important than that is God. Christians are people who think God's work is more important than themselves and do God's work first. And the result is good for everyone. Glory to God. Today, we first seek his kingdom and righteousness in this foreign land, so I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will stand in a position where you can receive all of these pluses.