What are my priorities in establishing goals for this life?
If you pray to a Father who judges men by their actions without the slightest favoritism, then you should spend the time of your stay here on earth with reverent fear. For you must realize all the time that you have been "ransomed" from the futile way of living passed on to you by your fathers' traditions, not with some money payment of transient value, but by the costly shedding of blood. The price was, in fact, the lifeblood of Christ, the unblemished and unstained lamb of sacrifice. And God raised him from the dead and gave him unimaginable splendor so that all your faith and hope might be centered in God. - 1 Peter 1:17-19,21 (Phillips)
As transformed followers of Jesus Christ, we clearly understand God's plan for our life through the study of His Word. Therefore, even though we are not omniscient and must take each step of life by faith in the Sovereign God of all creation, there should be no confusion about our priorities to execute this life.
1. Remember who owns you.
For you have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God's very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once, you were less than nothing; now, you are God's own. Once, you knew very little of God's kindness; now, your very lives have been changed by it. - 1 Peter 2:9-10 (Living Bible)
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! - Psalm 139:15-17 (NLT)
2. Renew your oath of obedience
According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ - 1 Peter 1:2a (ESV)
3. Remain faithful to biblical convictions.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
An increase in holiness should be desired and sought by us above all else. What a high price should we set upon closer conformity to Christ. How diligently we should hide God's Word in our hearts that we sin not against Him. - A. W. Pink
A practical message to establish a clear perspective for a new year.
Be Encouraged to set closer conformity to Christ as the priority.
-Jeffrey Thornton
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