Daily Journal: 5 October

Keep the Main Thing

the Main Thing

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your household will be saved. (Acts 16:30-32)

Many people today have become accustomed to thinking the main thing in life is all about image.

It takes a house with five bedrooms and bathrooms, a conservatory and a three-car garage to be successful. It takes showing off your assets to friends and colleagues and everyone else on social media to be worthwhile. It takes having family around, believing in your successful career and your name, admiring your financial freedom to be valuable. It takes having a mint body and supple, dewy skin that other people covet to be special. Chosen.

Those things may seem meaningful but is that security? Is that what the main thing in life is about?

If I don’t have all the trimmings in life, what is my life worth? If I don’t have friends or social standing, am I any good? If I don't have good looks or when I lose my youth or if I have health problems, am I of lesser value? If I can’t even afford food or electricity or petrol in one car, what can I look forward to?

Matthew 6:19-21 (NCV)

“Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will be where your treasure is.

Where is my treasure?

What is it that I take with me wherever I go?

What do people recognise me for?

What does it mean to keep the main thing the main thing in life?

2 Peter 1:5-9 (CEV)

Do your best to improve your faith by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love. If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. But if you don't grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven.

I take to heart the heart of Peter’s message, making fruitful progress in my Christian faith. Walking with perseverance and faith, believing in the goodness of God and the knowledge of what Jesus Christ has done, saving me and my household. That is worth more than any other thing in life. For whatever I lose in this life, I already know I have gained security forever.

2 Peter 1:10-11 (CEV)

My friends, you must do all you can to show God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever.