Only One Thing Really Matters

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? –Matthew 16:26.

                There really isn’t anything noble in “keeping busy” all of the time. Satan has given us a world of constant diversions, which are meant to keep our attention from the only thing that really matters; the ETERNAL destiny of our soul and spirit. Eternity will never end, yet our physical lives are but as wisps of smoke. What really matters to you? After you die, it will be too late to amend the choices you’ve made. Please don’t wait, simply hoping that things will turn out all right with God! He has made a sure way for you to be saved right now, through Jesus Christ, His Son.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. –Romans 10:13.

If you are reading this as a Christian, take time to be sure that the cares of this world aren’t choking out the fruit God wants you to bring forth (Mark 4:19). Don’t let the devil deceive you!

IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. –Colossians 3:1-3.

                How important should your relationship with God be?

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. –Matthew 13:44-46.

                Even seemingly more “noble” purposes ought to be prioritized as lesser than the spiritual;

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. –Matthew 6:31-33.

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. –Luke 10:38-42.

                A short while ago, my wife saw a brief article about a man that had just retired, and was apparently celebrating with a vacation in Hawaii; he was killed by a shark. I sure hope he had taken care of what really mattered before going into the water that day; we just don’t know when our time is up.

                Please take time to seek the Lord; repent of your sins, and claim Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord. Find out what God wants for you, and let Him show you what really matters, and will last eternally.

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. -Luke 12:16-21. Bold type added to emphasize.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: –Hebrews 9:27.

Understanding the Times in Regard to the Great Commission

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. –I Chronicles 12:32. Bold type added for emphasis.

                It is important for us to understand the times we are living in; a lack of this understanding will tend toward greater confusion, and a greater struggle in building up faith.This is especially vital during these, the very last of the “last days.” This is such a time as has not been seen before, so we need to search out the Word of God for every applicable scripture, and hold on tightly to every word. This is a desperate time, an evil time, but knowing that God has already forecast the coming of such times can help us immeasurably. The Bible says that it is a time of falling away, of mankind departing from the faith, and when the transgressors are come to the full (II Thessalonians 2:3, I Timothy 4:1, Daniel 8:23). We have to know what we are facing. We especially need to be aware of this when it comes to reaching the lost for Christ, something every believer in Christ has been called to do.

                First of all, remember that salvation comes from God alone. In our day, there are those who think they’ve got it all figured out; they know exactly what to do and say, and just how to do it in order to ensure much success. The Bible says that salvation will come only to the few (Matthew 7:13&14), and is the work of God. I would accept that there may be good techniques for sharing the gospel, but only God can bring the increase to His kingdom. Generally speaking, the apparent success of many evangelists lies in the fact that they are preaching a prosperity gospel, rather than one of genuine REPENTANCE (Matthew 4:17).

 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?  And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. –Mark 10:26, 27.

 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. –John 6:44.

 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. –I Corinthians 3:6,7.

                What we need is discernment, brethren. Again, I do not wish to discourage witnessing, but we need to understand the time we are living in. By this understanding we will be helped in knowing what to do or what not to do, with the Holy Spirit’s leading.

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.      –John 9:4. Is this the nighttime that Jesus spoke of? I believe that it is.

                Did you know that one of the Bible’s descriptions for people of the last days is reprobate, and that it is used three times? This use of the word reprobate means they are rejected as far as salvation, and is found in Romans 1:28, Titus 1:16, and II Timothy 3:8. This is pretty harsh! We are also told that these people are “haters of God” in Romans 1:30, and will not repent, even as God’s judgment is outpoured (Revelation 9:20&21, 16:9). In spite of these harsh truths, God still wants a witness to all, and there may yet be a few more that come to salvation.

                We are unprofitable servants, brethren, doing that which is our duty by witnessing (Luke 17:10). Real salvation is a work of God’s Holy Spirit upon an individual: God’s Word has already told us that the people of the last days would be “despisers of those that are good” in II Timothy 3:3. Our job is simply to present the gospel, trust the Lord to do His work, and then move on.

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. –Matthew 15:12-14.

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. –Luke 9:5.

                The Bible also admonishes us that there will be times to speak AND times to be silent; such wisdom will be found in us through God’s Holy Spirit.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. –Proverbs 26:4, 5.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. –Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7B.

Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. –Amos 5:13.

                Let us pray that God would give us an understanding of these times, and in each individual situation that we may encounter, that we may know the right thing to do. In the opening scripture, we find that the men of Issachar had this; in this passage, they were but 200 out of 332,000 accounted for amongst the tribes of Israel! This bears out as an example for us today; it is indeed the very few among the many that will know what to do, and act accordingly. Let us search the Word of God diligently, and take every word given therein for our help.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. –II Timothy 2:15.