Priorities
(Exhortation - July/August 2004)
We live in an age where time is at a premium. There seems to be so much to do and very little time in which to do it. The world is constantly pressing in and overwhelming us. Experts in time management tell us that it is just a matter of setting priorities, but the problem is: what priorities?
The dictionary defines priorities as: “Precedence in rank, of more importance, having a higher claim or consideration.” In other words, a priority is something that is important to us; it comes ahead of other things in our lives.
It takes very little reflection to realize that this should be our attitude toward God; He must take precedence in our lives. Sadly, this is not always the case. How often do we get caught up with the chaotic lifestyle of the modern day world and fail to heed the warning of the apostle Paul: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).
In
the world but not “of” it
Whether we like it or not, we have to live in this present evil world.
It pays our wages, teaches our children and provides comforts and pleasures.
The Lord Jesus understood that it is virtually impossible to opt out of
the society around us. In his poignant prayer to the Father, he said:
“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,
but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (Jn. 17:15).
The important thing is to acknowledge the dangers and pitfalls and try
to remain unspotted by them. If Christ is at the center of our lives,
then we should actually feel ourselves at odds with the world.
Because of our nature, even if we live the simplest and purest of lives, it is still possible to have a secret admiration bordering on love for the tempting and clever things this world has to offer. Those wonderful, sleek, fast cars, the ever-advancing computer technology and glamorous fashions are naturally attractive. We are also attracted by good causes, such as trends to clean up the environment and the focus toward a better social order. These are not harmful in themselves, but they are alluring and can easily become an obsession and take over all of our thoughts and time.
Doomed
to destruction
There is much to admire in the achievements of mankind. But remember the
words of Jesus when the disciples pointed out the beauty of the temple
buildings: “There shall not be left here one stone upon another,
that shall not be thrown down” (Matt. 24:2). As the return
of our Lord draws near, the warning remains applicable. The things that
are important now will give way to what is important to God.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away… (I Jn. 2:15-17).
The true test of discipleship is not whether the world is offended at us, but whether we are offended at the world. Examples from the scriptures abound with two types of individuals: those who were successful in recognizing the vital aspect of putting the things of God first in their lives and those who ignored them.
Abraham
and Lot
Genesis 12 recalls the story of Abraham being called out of the land of
his birth. The city of Ur was a highly civilized and thriving city and,
given his drive and integrity, Abraham must have been a respected citizen.
Danger lay in the fact that this God-loving man was ‘at home’
in Ur; for his spiritual development it was better that he became a stranger
and foreigner in Canaan. To leave the comfort and security of his settled
life and become a nomad in what may have been a hostile environment took
a great deal of faith and courage. Abraham’s priority, however,
was obedience to the only true God. He rose to the challenge and became
the father of the faithful throughout all generations.
In the case of Lot, a superficial reading may seem to indicate a discrepancy between the accounts of Genesis and Peter’s second epistle. The latter reads: “(God) delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds…” (II Pet. 2:7-8). The character that earned such commendation seems out of keeping with the Old Testament presentation of a man who loved city life and who was unwise in the selection of associates. He sought the fruitful plain and then pitched his tent “towards Sodom” where he later chose to sit in the gate (Gen. 13:10,12, 19:1). We are being told that, although a righteous man, Lot lost track of his priorities when he chose to nestle up close to Sodom. Herein lies the lesson: we cannot identify with the things of the world without being caught up in them. Jesus emphasized this when he cautioned: “Remember Lot’s wife” (Lk. 17:32). Due to her reluctance to leave her home and possessions she turned back and died. Over-involvement in a wicked society brought much suffering for Lot.
The
example of Joseph
The story of Joseph, so full of poignant drama, is a favorite for all
ages. It is interesting, however, that out of all the exciting action,
the writer to the Hebrews mentioned the request of Joseph made at the
end of his life: “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention
of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning
his bones” (Heb. 11:22). Throughout the vicissitudes of his
life, this man, who eventually held a position of power and prestige next
only to Pharaoh, had the promises made to his great-grandfather Abraham
as his focus. He died faithfully anticipating the resurrection and an
inheritance in the land where he requested to be buried.
The scriptural record emphasizes his absolute faith and certainty in the fulfillment of God’s word. We are informed that Joseph had actually made his contemporaries swear an oath that his wishes be honored: “And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he (Joseph) had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you” (Ex. 13:19).
Obviously the urgency of the request made such an impression and became so fixed upon the minds of his descendents that it was remembered even in the haste to leave Egypt. Undoubtedly, the priorities of Joseph were always directed toward the “Hope of Israel.” Appropriately it was Moses, another giant of faith who carried the bones of Joseph to the desired resting place.
Forsaking
worldly rank
As part of God’s plan, Moses reached great heights in the court
of Pharaoh as he was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,
and was mighty in words and in deeds” (Acts 7:22). He was being
molded and prepared for a position of leadership as the one chosen to
head the mass exodus from Egypt.
How easy it would have been to bask in the rank and privileges of a prince in that affluent and influential society. God, who knows the heart of men, had chosen well, for when the time of crisis and decision came, Moses had a firm grip upon right priorities:
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward (Heb. 11:24-26).
For Moses, the pomp and glories of Egypt were nothing compared with the reward offered to those who look forward in faith to the coming of Messiah.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, the one we come to remember, is the ultimate example of putting God and His commandments first, regardless of circumstances. As the antitype of Joseph and Moses, “he learned obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb. 5:8), and we are called to follow his example: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). Let us seek to set our priorities to do God’s will as directed by His Son: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).
Peter Dulis