180 Degrees: Nothing Matters Except…

How do we reach God?

Math Joke:  I’ll do algebra, I’ll do calculus. I’ll even do statistics.
But graphing is where I draw the line!

Just like in math, there comes a day when we must all “draw the line” against sinful behaviours. I hope to do that with this math-centered series. Many people believe the treasures of earth matter most. But they’ve forgotten that nothing on earth matters, except one thing.

Human nature believes there are many ways to God. We can follow Him, or we can do good deeds, or we can rigidly follow the rules, or we can do such and such at a specific time. This is one area where human nature deviates from math. In certain mathematical equations, there are multiple ways to find the correct answer. I can use an alternate equation or divide by a different factor and still produce the answer. Life is not the same. There is only one way to be saved.

That way involves following God’s commands and listening to His instructions. God’s way means believing that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died on the cross to forgive us of our sins (Romans 10:9). If you believe these basic tenets, you can call yourself a Christian, which is awesome!

Once you accept that truth, I have a question from Ecclesiastes 1:3 (NIV): “What do people gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun?” Before you answer that from a human standpoint, let’s shift our mindset…

180 Degrees

Take it or leave it, but I believe the only thing we should ultimately value is Christ. I’m not saying we can’t enjoy the things of earth. I’m saying the world must come second. If not, we will fall victim to idolatry. The Israelites did while in Canaan, and we are no different. Idolatry is valuing anything other than God as most important.

Let’s break down the title of today’s post, word by word.

Nothing.

In comparison to knowing God, nothing is of significance. Not what I have or what I do. I can utilize what I’ve been given to further God’s Kingdom, but it doesn’t ultimately matter. We can use what we have to spread Jesus, but money or possessions shouldn’t be our source of comfort or happiness. Remember, only human souls are coming to Heaven. Your Lamborghini isn’t.

Exodus 20:3 clarifies this when God says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” This is a challenge in the West. Prosperity and good times can increase the likeliness that we turn from God. Look at the Israelites. I read the book of Judges last month, and it’s all about the consequences of putting other people, things, and possessions above God. It leads to death, destruction, sadness, heartbreak, and violence. Sound familiar?

Matters.

Question of the Week: What matters to you?

Does Jesus come to mind? Do people come to mind? Do things, jobs, places, hobbies, or possessions come to mind? I’m not here to guilt-trap you, I just want us to examine what truly matters. You can measure this by looking at where you spend your time and finances.

God has no tolerance for idols, and He says so in the Ten Commandments. It’s something I’ve had to confess many times. God matters most. If that’s a hard pill to swallow, remember that if you put Him first, He promises to also give you what you need.

Except…

The author of Ecclesiastes tells us that everything under the sun is meaningless. He’s right. Of all the things I’ve done in life, the only ones capable of bringing me continual, lifelong joy are projects I do for His glory.

I echo the sentiments of King Agur in Proverbs 30:7-8 (NLT)…

“O God, I beg two favours from You; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.”

It doesn’t matter what my life looks like, whether I’m poor or rich by the world’s standards. It doesn’t matter if I have the most friends or the newest computer or the coolest clothes or the most know-how. What matters is whether I put God first. Will I value Him? Or will I value what the world offers? Each of us must answer that question with both our words and actions.

Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NIV) says, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

If you disagree with my take on what does or doesn’t matter, please let me know. I’d love to discuss the topic. If you do agree, I must ask: How will you live a Jesus-first lifestyle? Is there something God is asking you to do, or something you should give up?

For me, this meant surrendering my obsession with video games back in Grade 9. Yes, at the time I thought I’d sacrificed a lot. But you know what? Only two months after handing control to God, I began work on what would become WLF. When we surrender our idols to God and acknowledge that this world has nothing of lasting value, He gives us something better. How can you relinquish your hold on the things of this earth and exchange them for the treasures of Heaven?

I recently read the biography of Adoniram Judson, and one of my biggest takeaways from his life can be summed up in this sentence:

“He gave up the good to pursue the great.”