Learning to Value What God Values

In review of 1 Timothy 6:21, Paul reminds me that “Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God” (TLB).

Today's verse is from 1 Timothy 6:21 where Paul reminds me that some people have missed the most important thing, knowing God and the goal of faith.

The goal of my life is so that Christ can be honored and glorified. So I shouldn’t lose sight of what is most important; knowing God, working together in loving harmony and taking God's Good News to the world.

The key to a friendship with God is deciding whose friendship I want most. I don’t have time for everybody to be my friend. I’ve got to decide who I want most to be my best friend.

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:21, “Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God” (TLB).

It’s not good to know a lot of facts but not know God. If I don’t know God then I’ve missed the most important thing in life!

If I’m not a friend of God, it means I care about something else more. James 4:4 says, “You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God’s enemy” (NCV).

When James writes, “loving the world,” he means loving the value system of the world. God wants me to love people, but that doesn’t mean I have to love the world’s value system. I can easily get so caught up in the distractions of life that I tend to do just the opposite. I end up loving the world’s value system, but then not loving people. I love materialism, pleasure, popularity, prestige, passion, possessions, and position.

But God loves people, and he wants me to love them too. One way I show my love to others is to show an interest in their interests. In other words, what is important to them becomes important to me (always within the context of biblical truth).

If I’m going to be a friend of God, then I’ve got to care about what he cares about and stop caring about the things he doesn’t care about. God doesn’t care about my image or my status. He’s interested in my character, not how I look but who I am. An essential step toward friendship with God means choosing to value what God values.

In summary, don't miss the most import thing in life, knowing and having a relationship with God. My life should be about giving Christ honor and glory. I need to do what's most important; knowing God, working in loving harmony and taking God's Good News to the world. God wants me to love people, that doesn't mean I have to love the world's value system. I love people by showing an interest in their interests. To be God's friend I've got to care about what he cares about. God's more interested in growing my character than he is in my image or status.

I realize that I get caught up in a lot of other things and don’t always concentrate on loving God and people. I’m more interested in accomplishing what has been laid out in front of me. I need to take time today to find a way to be with people, especially my team, to discuss what their interests are and goals for themselves and the organization. Today Father I ask for the ability to get this into my schedule. Also give me the wisdom and guidance I need to do my work, lead my team and interact with others. Help me to be gracious and loving as you are to me. These thing I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.