The few things that truly matter

From Airdrie Baptist Newsletter 22 Apr 10

I read recently of a Christian man nearing the end of his life with terminal cancer. He was asked about his faith and said as time went on he believed ‘more and more about less and less.’ This man clearly had come to the realisation that only a very few things are of eternal significance. Only a few things really matter. This is true as we face death, but also if we want to know fullness of life. John Piper says:

“You don't have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by a few great things.”

What are these few things that really matter? Paul says:

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”

(1 Cor 15:3-5)

We need to know that Jesus died for our sins; not for his own (he was sinless), not because of a random serious of events or just as a victim of people’s corruption. Jesus death had a purpose- to atone for the sins of all believers. Secondly he was raised. Death couldn’t hold him, he conquered the grave. Thirdly all of this happened ‘according to the Scriptures,’ God is proved faithful, faithful to his people and faithful to his promises.

Do you know these few truths? Are you mastered by them? Do they thrill you? Do they cause you to leave your old sinful life behind and daily make him your Lord and King?

If so, Jesus victory over sin and death is your victory too.  If so, you will know him forever. What you really need to know, in life and in death, is Jesus.

“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil 3:8)

Grace and peace,

Ross