WHAT REALLY MATTERS

“For I want you to understand what
really matters, so that you may
live pure and blameless lives
until Christ returns.”
Philippians 1:10
New Living Translation

It can be very easy to be distracted by things that don’t really matter. For the moment they can seem so very important, but in retrospect, many of the things that took so much of our attention, energy and peace seem so small and insignificant. In light of eternity, priorities can change drastically. In the heat of an argument being right, getting your point across, or just stating your opinion may seem supreme, but in light of the fallout and broken, wounded relationships, those things don’t seem to be very important. It is imperative to know what really matters.
The Apostle Paul’s prayer for the saints at Philippi was that they would be able to recognize, discern and distinguish the things that were really important in light of eternity. At the time of his writing the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul was in a prison because he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. What really mattered to Paul was the furtherance of the gospel even if meant him being imprisoned (Philippians 1:12). The Apostle was committed to the defense of the gospel regardless of the motives of others. He knew that some preached Christ for contention, others in pretense and yet others from a heart of love. Nevertheless, he rejoiced because what really mattered was that Christ was preached (Philippians 1:18).
The only way to know what things are really important is to grow in love and in knowledge and insight of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:9). As we mature, the knowledge of Christ will produce in us a lifestyle that will cause us not to stumble or cause others to stumble until the day of Jesus Christ. Knowing what really matters will produce the ‘fruits of righteousness’ which will bring praise and glory to God.
Thinking in light of where we will spend eternity will give a better perspective of what really matters. Presenting Christ to others, having a pure heart, without offense and loving-lasting relationships are really what are most important. Today, evaluate your life and determine what really matters.