What Matters Most

​Americans are trying desperately to figure out what matters in life.  
Depending on who you talk to, you will discover a myriad of differing, divergent, often divisive opinions concerning what matters. As the obvious order of the day, “what matters” is an emotionally loaded, volatile watchword turning our society inside out and upside down.  
People in our diverse society tend to think that what they think matters surely matters to everyone else. Maybe, maybe not.
As people draw what matters battle lines through talking points, debate, dialogue, conversation, protest, marching or posting emotionally charged opinions openly on social media, one thing is clear: very little is clear!
The vast majority of folks consumed with what matters, no matter how it is defined, are missing the mark about WHAT MATTERS MOST.
To maintain my serenity and sanity while surveying the what matters landscape, I have concluded and committed myself to not be confused about what matters most. Honestly, I am deeply troubled and disheartened in my spirit because many have been misled and are misleading others about what matters.
As I have personally struggled with my emotional responses to what is happening across America, the land that I love, the Lord has graciously and lovingly reminded  me to focus my faith, thinking,, emotions, priorities, behavior and relationships on what I know what matters most.
The Bible is crystal clear concerning what matters most.
What matters most for time and eternity is salvation.
My, your and every human’s problem is sin. Jesus, God’s only Son, came to earth to save us from sin. Salvation means wholeness, being saved from sin, to a holy, healthy relationship with God.
The following scriptures, all spoken by Jesus, make it clear why He came and what He taught matters most in life.

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
• “The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10“
• Enter the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life; and few are those who find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14
• “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37.
•  “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.

Does salvation and eternity matter? You bet it does. According to the Bible, which is God’s holy Word, man’s eternal destiny is either heaven or hell. The wide path that many walk on leads to eternal destruction. The narrow way through faith in Jesus Christ, which few travel on, leads to eternal life.
In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus is saying we can have all the world offers yet lose what God’s Kingdom offers. God’s Son came to earth to save our souls, not our pocketbooks, racial heritage, political affiliation, our business enterprises, religious rituals, our personal opinions, preferences and pleasures, or even our relationships with others.   
Salvation matters most.
The Cross Jesus died on at Calvary matters most. The empty tomb that Jesus rose from the dead from matters most. Forgiveness of our sins and the free gift of eternal life matters most.
What matters most is that when men and women are saved, their hearts change. Sin is our problem. The Savior who became sin for us and paid the price for our salvation is the solution for all our human problems.   
When you and I receive Jesus into our hearts, we become new persons in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17) . Changed hearts make a difference in how we live our life and conduct our relationships.  
When individuals are saved, society changes.  Love for one another with the love of Jesus Christ replaces the arrogance, prejudice and hatred that plagues an unsaved, evil soul.  
 Bottom line: Man’s causes, movements, and revolutions are temporal. They simply don’t last. The cause of Christ matters most because it is eternal. The Kingdom of God lasts forever.
Seriously think about this for a moment.  In the light of eternity, how much does what you and I think is so important that we might miss heaven because we rejected God’s Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Eternal loss is loss indeed!
My friend, how about you? Do you know what matters most? Are you personally experiencing what matters for time and eternity? Do you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?
Paul, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9) wrote in Romans 10: 9-10  “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation”  
Have you confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and  God raised Him from the dead so you can be saved from sin, death and the grave?
If not, settle for once and all what matters most. You can receive Christ right now, right where you are at.
 Simply, sincerely humble your heart. Bow your head. Ask God to forgive your sin. Receive Jesus into your heart by faith. Choose today to live your life for Christ. Then, thank Jesus for saving your soul, because that is what matters most!
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to  those who believe in His name.” John 1:12
A Word For Your Week: Live your life according to what matters most.