How can one know what really matters and what doesn't in life? Join us as we share some thoughts on this important theme.

How many of you keep up with sports regularly? Perhaps you watch basketball or baseball or football or racing or whatever. Admittedly, I keep up with some of these sports--at least when their season is drawing to an end and the playoffs approach. No, I don't watch many games, but I often check the results online the next morning or read about it in the newspaper. But, I'm definitely not a fanatic, at least not when it comes to sports. I'm amazed, however, by how many people are sports fanatics!

When it was available locally, I tuned in occasionally to listen to ESPN radio a couple times a week. One thing that amazed me is how worked up some people get regarding sports! I'm talking about the radio hosts, those calling in, etc. Many people will really get fired up about something in the realm of sports, things that I would label as being of little consequence, but yet these same people refuse to be bothered about other things that I think are really important, like religion!

Have you ever noticed that? Different people get excited about different things. Of course, if a person gets worked up about something, that implies that the subject matter is very important to them. When a person is not passionate about something, then that probably means it is not a high priority with them.

In our feature lesson today, I want us to consider how to distinguish between things that matter and things that don't. Now, I'm assuming that since you are reading or listening to this lesson that we already agree on the basics--that is, spiritual matters are very important and physical matters are less important. Jesus said as much in Matthew 16:26 - "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" One's soul is the most important thing; spiritual matters are what really count. Now, that is where we must start in our understanding, but there is more involved than this in distinguishing between what matters and what doesn't.

Within the realm of religion, there are some things that are essential. Other religious matters are very important but not essential. Finally, there are other matters that are indifferent or irrelevant. Stephen, how can we know the difference? How can we tell what is essential religiously and what is unimportant?

Well, first let me show you evidence that distinctions such as these actually exist. The Lord Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 23:23 that some matters are weightier than others religiously. Jesus specifically labeled justice, mercy, and faith as weightier matters. He specifically mentioned tithing herbs as a less important matter. Of course, Jesus was not teaching that a person should figure out what the most important matters of religion are and do them while ignoring the others matters deemed less important. No, He was not teaching that at all. He clearly stated that the weightier matters should be done without neglecting the other matters. For us today, Jesus was teaching that some aspects of religion are more important than others, and consequently, we should focus our attention upon them, but not to the detriment of other matters deemed less important. Friends, how can we know the difference? How can we avoid majoring in minors and minoring in majors? Wasn't this one of the big problems of the Pharisees? They focused so much on the small matters of importance that they often neglected the more important things. May it never be so with us! So, how can we avoid letting the unimportant matters crowd out the important matters?

This lesson will try to provide some ideas on properly arranging our priorities or putting all the components of our lives in the proper places (we certainly won't be exhausting the subject in this study). Physically, everything in a house or room should be put in its proper place to keep things organized, neat, and efficient. It's the same way with priorities--everything must be kept in its proper place or you're going to end up with a mess. We need to put the essential matters at the top, the important matters second, and the irrelevant matters last. Like many things in life, accomplishing such is easier said than done, but it is a noble and worthwhile goal and one our attention should continually be focused upon.

IMPROPER CRITERIA OFTEN USED IN DETERMINING WHAT MATTERS & WHAT DOESN'T.
We will begin here with three points that come to my mind. These three improper criteria are "big ones" in my estimation. In other words, people use them a lot to determine their priorities, but they seriously err in so doing.

• Will it cause me to lose my salvation?
  Usually this sentiment is expressed like this: "I won't lose my soul if I do such-and-such, right?" or "God won't send me to hell for this, would He?" This is what I call "the negative spin." It's the wrong attitude to have about any doubtful matter and is very dangerous! When one uses this criteria to determine his course of action, he does not value his spirit or the Lord's will as he should.
• What advantage, reward, or benefit does it have?
  This can be an important criteria in making decisions pertaining to expediency (that is, in working out the specific details for a general obligation the Scriptures set forth), but it should not be considered when trying to determine what matters and what doesn't. There are many matters in religion, just like in life in general, that are advantageous or beneficial and other matters that are not advantageous or beneficial, but what does that have to do with determining whether or not the matter is something that is important to God or not? Humans have a tendency to look at things differently than God does. His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are above our thoughts (Isa. 55:8,9). Just because something seems appealing to us doesn't mean that it is important or essential so far as God is concerned. General New Testament authority for the action in question must be established first.
• Does it require I leave my comfort zone?
  Generally, people do not want to be challenged or stretched or made to feel uncomfortable. People have a tendency to think that the things they are doing are important and essential, even if the Scriptures declare otherwise. Humans like to get into routines and do their own thing day after day. Many never even stop to consider what God wants or expects of them, and some, even after learning what God does desire of them, never do much about it. They don't make changes that would cause them to have to do that which is uncomfortable or difficult. They are content to keep doing whatever they are doing and not leave their comfort zone, even though their comfort zone may not include the things God says are really important and essential.

PROPER CRITERIA TO USE IN DETERMINING WHAT MATTERS & WHAT DOESN'T
Let's now contemplate three proper criteria for determining priorities that all Christians should be using in their lives.

• Does God indicate that it is essential? Is it a requirement for salvation?
  Now, at first glance this may not seem much different than the first improper criteria listed above. However, it is much different! This is what I call "the positive spin." Here I am asking what God considers to be essential or a requirement; I am not asking if I can get away with doing certain things without losing my salvation. And how can we know what God considers to be essential? We must saturate our minds with the word of God for it contains everything we need to know to live a godly life (cf. II Tim. 3:16,17; II Pet. 1:3). Additionally, we are to strive to make our "call and election sure" (II Pet. 1:10). Peter says there are certain qualities (like faith, virtue, knowledge, etc.) we must labor to increase in our lives and "if you do these things you will never stumble." Isn't that another way of saying that there are essentials that we as Christians must be doing if we expect the grace of God to save us one day? We aren't to be pushing the envelope to see how close we can come to falling! If God's word indicates that something is essential or a requirement, then such is something that matters--it is important. Ultimately, anything that has eternal consequences matters (cf. II Cor. 5:10). If you're not sure whether or not something has eternal consequences, ask yourself if it will matter 100 years from now whether you did or didn't do the action in question (e.g., it won't matter 100 years from now if your lawn or house is not perfect, but it will matter 100 years from now if you befriend your neighbor and try to bring him to Christ).
• Will God be glorified by it?
  I Corinthians 10:31 teaches - "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." The scope of that verse is certainly broad: "whatever you do". We ought to strive to ask ourselves this question continually--before we make any decision really. Will doing this particular thing bring glory to God? Of course, without a proper use of the Bible, this criteria is subjective. Some will argue that doing almost anything (even sin) can bring glory to God in some way or another. The Bible does not teach this, of course. It is important not to forget Isaiah 55:8,9 in this regard.
• What effect will it have on others, on the church, and on me?
  Other people matter (whether they are Christians or not), so we must consider them. Philippians 2:3,4 reads - "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." We must consider our actions and make sure we are enhancing evangelism and edification, not leading others astray. "Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" (I Cor. 10:32,33). We must consider ourselves also: What effect will making a certain decision have on me? Will it help me grow as a Christian or hinder my growth (cf. II Pet. 3:18)?

  CHARACTER MATTERS
  Character is what you really are (not what you think you are; cf. Gal. 6:3). Reputation is what others think you are. Character is important; reputation is relatively unimportant. Character is important because "there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Heb. 4:13). God requires certain qualities of character, and He provides what is needed for developing them in His word:

  "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Pet. 1:5-11).

  Each of these character qualities should be studied and pursued vigorously by Christians because they matter so much to God (and should consequently matter to us).

  There is so much more that could be said about our theme in this lesson, but hopefully some of these major points we've shared will be helpful. Everything essential to one's salvation and right relationship with God is stipulated in Scripture. Things that are important but not necessarily essential are more difficult but not impossible to determine. Trivial things get too much of our time and energy, and this is one reason why humans often fail in the essential and important areas. Dear listeners, please examine your priorities in the light of Scripture to ensure that what is important to God is properly manifested in the life He has given you.

  Thank you for listening, and may the Lord bless you as you strive to do His will.