I watched a news clip of a political debate where Presidential candidates were asked, “What would you do first if you win the election?” The candidates responded with predictable answers meant to gain support from special interest groups. Were their answers sincere? It’s hard to tell because they weren’t challenged. Most of the candidates have a wide array of extreme proposals that would radically affect our country. It is hard to tell if they honestly believe in any of their proposals or they are just trying to get more votes. We know what they said they would be their priorities, but we won’t know what they will really do unless one of them gets elected.
If you believe in something, you will adjust your priorities to reflect your beliefs. Like most people, my own life was most important to me, and I set my priorities accordingly. My priorities changed when I discovered something is more important to me than this life. I discovered I would spend an eternity in either Heaven or Hell and I my choices would determine which one. That got my attention, and it became my priority.
When I heard “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV), I accepted that wonderful gift from GOD who “so loved” me. That JESUS loved me enough to die for me makes me love and want to serve Him. So, what does He want from me?
We read “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1 and 14 KJV) and so we should read the WORD (Bible) to know what GOD wants. When asked what the greatest commandment was, JESUS said “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mat 22:37 and 39 KJV). That is so easy, He wants us to love!
No, it isn’t easy! Think of how much love cost GOD? It cost His precious son. Are you willing to love that much? Remember JESUS said, “all thy heart…all thy soul…all thy mind.” GOD wants all of you! Whatever He asks of you, it is worth it! It is worth more that you could ever give.
So how much did love cost JESUS? It cost Him a brutal beating for your healing and separation from the FATHER when He bore your sins; Love cost JESUS His life so you would have eternal life. No, that kind of love isn’t easy, it’s impossible! You will have to rely on JESUS for that too and He can do it because He is the GOD of the impossible! He said “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14 KJV).
So, your “priorities” should be to accept JESUS as your Savior, then ask Him to help you love GOD, and others. You will have to depend on GOD, but that is ok, we are His first priorities!
Wayne Lance (2019)…