Luke 10:41-42
"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"
The following is not referring to a works based salvation. I am saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Click the text below to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
What is the Gospel?
I do believe, however, Scripture teaches that we will give account to everything we did during our lives based on several passages, one of which is 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (emphasis mine)
How can I determine what is important? My sin nature is worrisome and over-analytical. How do I decide what to do, what to say, and upon what to concern myself?
One day I'll see the Lord face to face. One day I'll give account for every word, every deed. Now and in that moment I am and will be beyond-words grateful for the Atonement, so thankful for my salvation. What I will think is important (regarding how I lived on earth) in THAT moment is what is important. Period. About what issues will I be thankful for caring? What actions will I be glad I took? What words will I be glad I spoke? Because really, those are the only issues, actions, and words with value.
That's becoming my litmus test for what should be a concern.
Is it important?
- Speaking with a gentle tone to Nathan (and well, everyone)? Definitely.
- Listening to Nathan? Definitely.
- Going on a date with Nathan? Yes.
- Giving that bit of money away in Jesus' name? Yes.
- Sharing the love of Christ in some way with whomever I come in contact? Yes.
- Taking the time to make that phone call or write that note? Probably.
- A clean kitchen after every meal? Probably not.
- Putting away clothes the day I wash and dry them? Probably not.
- Dust bunnies under my sofa? Definitely not.
- Looking my son in the eye when I speak to him? Yes.
- The color of my car? Definitely not.
- Looking the cashier in they eye and speaking a kind word? Yes.
- My outdated wardrobe? NO.
- Split ends. NO.
- Taking it slowly so that Joshua can try to do things himself. Yes
- Taking time to converse with Joshua about my relationship with Jesus and how much Jesus loves him. Yes.
My list probably will increase. These are some that come to mind immediately.
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