What's Important

   We think so little of ourselves that what we hope for is lower than God's expectations for our lives. We desire temporal treasures that do not last or profit the soul. Luke 9:25 asks what advantage a man has if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul or be cast away. Truly, no one can find happiness in worldly pleasures. They do nothing for our spiritual benefits.

   The Devil hates God and everything God loves for the very reason God loves it. No one can avoid the enemy's temptations; as long as we are humans we are bound to meet them. If Jesus was tempted(Matt. 4:1-11), who are then? Our only way out is by overcoming these temptations. God's grace abounds and is sufficient enough to keep us from falling into sin. I Cor. 10:13 says that God is faithful and would not yield us over to a temptation which is greater than our restraint capability. All we have to do is ask, and ask wisely. (II Cor. 12:9; Jas. 4:3).

   We are created in God's own image and likeness(Gen. 1:27; Psa. 139:14) and that fact is enough to make us acknowledge ourselves as divine creatures (Psa. 82:6). However, since the Fall, man's position and status have been displaced. Our focus has been lost. To bring restoration to mankind, God out of His infinite love and mercy, offered up His one and only Son to die as human. (Is. 61:1-3; Luk. 9:56). Now, man can be saved by the Blood of Jesus and become God's own once again, thereby regaining his position, status and dominion.

   Restoration has finally come. As joint heirs with Christ Jesus, we are destined to rule over God's creation as kings(Rom. 8:17; Rev. 1:5,6). Jesus has already given us the power to become God's sons and over all powers of the enemy(Jn. 1:12; Luk. 10:19) as long as we're in Him.

   A crown prince who knows his position and birthright but acts as a slave to a subject, is not worthy of the throne. He will be easily overthrown and have another take over. This is a picture of a person who understands that he's been created in God's own image but chooses to follow the Devil. The enemy does nothing but to kill one's love for God, steal what the person has obtained from God, and destroy the soul in Hell. Do as James 4:7 says and victory over sin is sure.

   What we become is only determined by God with our attitudes acting as external factors. If we obey the Lord, we possess our possessions. If we don't, we lose what He has offered. God loves us, has given us all that we need and is even willing to offer more unto us(Jn. 3:16-18; I Tim. 6:17; Rom. 8:32; Phil. 4:19; Matt. 21:22).

   Our souls matter the most to God. This is because the soul is the first most precious gift from Him to humans. God breathed into the dusty body of man so he can live(Gen. 2:7). This is a solid irrevocable proof that without God we are nothing. Everything a man does and is able to achieve is because Heaven permits it(Jn. 3:27; I Tim. 6:7). We are useless without Christ. We are hopeless without Him. Only in Him can we have essential satisfaction. (Jn. 3:33,36; 14:6; 15:4)  Those who go after the world and the things in it cannot find the peace they need until they meet the Prince of peace. (Jas. 5:1-6)  Those who have God alone in their lives are even greater than those who have God and everything else.

   What's important isn't being wealthy or famous. It isn't having all the knowledge in the world, or being super smart. It's not doing all the possible good deeds or pulling off incredible stunts. It's not even being the most beautiful or the most handsome. The most important thing is living for Jesus. That's what's important. He gave His life for us all. The only way we can repay Him is by giving ours to Him. That life He gave to us isn't for fulfilling the desires of the flesh, but to serve Him in Spirit and in truth(Rom. 6:3,4,9-13,18; Jn. 4:23). It is up to us to decide what to do with our lives. If we make the right choice by following Christ and serving Him wholeheartedly, only then shall we have that essential satisfaction that we crave for. But we should never forget Deuteronomy 6:5 or to put it into practice, for all things work together for good to them that love Him(Rom. 8:28). Loving ourselves is also important so we can love others(Matt. 19:19; 22:39) and serve God well.

   God bless everyone, and may He that is faithful keep us till that Day. Amen.