Monday, June 15, 2015

“That Which Matters”


    In a creation originated and eternally sustained by the everlasting God, that which matters can be defined as that which lasts - forever.

    "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (II Corinthians 4:18).

    What will eternally abide?  The Bible directly addresses this inquiry.  "I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever.  Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it" (Ecclesiastes 3:14).  Eternal significance must be viewed in the light of our Lord's doings, whether we consider the subject in universal terms outside ourselves, or in the context of our personal lives.  That which matters, that which lasts forever, is that which God does in all things, and in ourselves.  

    What is God doing?  In general terms, He works to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, accomplish His will, and fulfill His eternal purpose in Christ (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 6:10; Ephesians 3:11).  Personally, He works according to these parameters in countless modes and measures, some of which are known to us, and many of which are not.  His doings may relate to obviously spiritual aspects of life and practice.  Or, they may flow in terms of our everyday lives that on the surface do not appear religiously oriented at all.  Our calling involves devotion to the Christ-centered purposes mentioned, as led and enabled by the Holy Spirit who indwells born again believers in the Lord Jesus.  Knowing that our Heavenly Father's eternal purpose centers in Christ calls us to submit our hearts to the same holy intention.  We set our sail to catch the wind of God's grace and truth that ever conveys us toward the glory of our Savior.  That which matters, that which lasts forever, always coincides with this Christ-centered and empowered journey.  "To live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21).

    The old adage speaks to that which will endure.  "Only one life, t'will soon be past.  Only what's done for Christ will last."  To amplify the point in terms of our present consideration, "Only what's done by Christ will last."  We play a role in the matter, even as the Lord told the blind men He purposed to heal, "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29).  The work is His, however, and that which endures forever - that which matters - will be that which He originated and fulfills for the glory of the Lord Jesus.  Devotion to such truth infuses eternal meaning and significance into our hearts and lives as we focus our gaze on the unseen things of eternity.

"If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
(Colossians 3:1-2)
"Then said they unto Him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."
(John 6:28-29)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life.  He that cometh to Me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.
(John 6:35)    

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