People in the world run after different goals in life but all their goals move towards one thing…money. We can probably sum up their goals by two aspirations, to be wealthy, successful, or both.
How does the world measure up to the Bible’s ideal?
We must always look for God’s way outside of money and success which are part of this world and it’s philosophy and ideals
… temporal, temporary, and transient.
1 John 2:15-17 NLT
[15] “Do not love this world or the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. [16] For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. [17]And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
There is another side to life, here and now, that few find because these aspirations belong to those who view their lives from a different perspective. Those who live only for this life give no thought to the next. Those who live for God use this life to prepare for the next.
Psalms 27:8 NIV
[8] “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
- David’s Aspiration – to be in His presence in the temple.
David longed to be permanently in God’s presence, to see His beauty and experience the wonder of being with Him.
Psalms 27:4 NLT
[4] “The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.”
David was tired of being a fugitive, always dodging King Saul’s murderous intention. In God’s presence he would be safe, out of reach though not out of sight. There he would be free to contemplate the wonders of the God he worshiped without having constantly to look over his shoulder for danger.
- Mary’s Action – to be in His presence at His feet.
Mary, out of all who fellowshipped with Jesus, chose an action that set her apart from all others. She was, as a woman, barred her from sitting among the men. Her place was with Martha in the kitchen.
But…
Luke 10:38-39 NLT
[38] “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. [39] Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.”
Martha was incensed. Why didn’t Jesus rebuke Mary and send her to the place where she belonged? Didn’t she know that her culture forbade her to be with the men?
Yet, Jesus commended her action…
Luke 10:41-42 NLT
[41] “But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! [42] There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Mary chose one thing, above all else, in her disregard for protocol. Her action confirmed her intent, to be at His feet, in His presence, listening and learning from the Master Rabbi…
And Jesus approved.
- Paul’s Ambition – to be with Him and in Him forever.
Paul’s ambition takes us to the heart of the ‘one thing’. Setting aside all other goals as earthly and irrelevant, Paul set his sights on one thing.
Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
[13] “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Paul had much on his mind as he worked hard to fulfill his calling. Taking the good news of Jesus to a pagan world was no easy task. He had to contend with vicious opposition as well as with churches full of people raised in paganism with its ungodly ways. His role was to teach them the way of truth.
In and above all these concerns was the ‘one thing’ that motivated and guided all Paul’s actions and reactions. This ‘one thing’ was a prize so valuable that it kept him on track through every experience, good and bad. He never let the goal out of his sight, no matter what happened to him in a world opposed to God and His Word.
When he wobbled, God’s grace steadied him.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
[9] “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Paul knew he would always be striving towards the goal in this life.
Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
[13] “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Every struggle was an opportunity to gain ground on his way to the prize.
He set aside earthly, religious, and personal achievements as nothing compared with what awaited him at the end of his journey.
Philippians 3:7-9 NLT
[7″I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. [8] Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ [9] and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
[6]”As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
What was the ‘crown of righteousness’ towards which Paul struggled with determined purpose? He used different ways to describe his goal, but they all lead to one thing. We could say he meant ‘crowned with the righteousness’ he had received from Christ by faith when he had abandoned his own righteousness by trying to keep the law. Christ’s righteousness gave him right standing with God and access to the grace that gave him the power to do the right thing.
John puts the same goal simply…
1 John 3:2 NLT
[2]” Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”
This goal towards which God’s children are moving, consciously or unconsciously, requires that we do one thing.
1 John 3:3 NLT
[3]”And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”
So, God is at work in us. As we work with Him, trusting Him in the ‘all things’ that He is working for our good, something is happening inside.
Romans 8:28-29 NLT
[28]”And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. [29] For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
It’s this goal, becoming like Jesus, the only goal worth pursuing with all our energy, that will achieve man’s chief end, “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” (Westminster Catechism)