Making Decisions In The Framework Of Our Faith

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” - Galatians 5:25

Charles Hummel wrote a book “Tyranny of the Urgent”.  The idea behind the book is that we often let what seems urgent not what is most important be the deciding factor with respect to what we do.  What is “important” juxtaposed with what feels “urgent”.  (OK hang with me here!) Hummel wrote that there are 4 possible combinations of life situations that we will encounter  those things that are – Urgent and Important – Urgent and Not Important – Not Urgent and Important – Not Urgent and Not Important.  

So what does that have to do with our faith?  Our natural emotions are tied to feelings of urgency.  Something happens and our emotions – our "Spidey senses" – kick in telling us that this must be acted upon immediately, it's urgent.  The key is knowing if what feels so urgent is actually important and then keeping life in perspective with respect to that knowing.  

As a Christian, how do we decide what is important  Our guide, the Bible's answer says, with the Spirit as our guide, it is God, others (world, culture, family), and lastly you. (Matthew 22: 37-39, Romans 12:1-2, Mark 9:35) There are many other references, but those are sufficient for my point.  As Christians, what is important is determined first by our relationship with God, His revealed Truth and our willingness to trust and obey. Our challenge is to respond to life in the framework of our faith not by our feelings or emotions.  

The root of our struggle is the tension between the old life and the new life. The fact that we live in a physical world but have a new spiritual reality that is supposed to be our primary perspective – the filter by which we determine what is important and what is urgent.  In the context of Hummel’s book – Our relationship with God is the determinant with respect to deciding what is important and what is urgent.  For some Christians – it’s OK to agree that we should not love the world or the things of this world (1 John 2:15) but what about retirement – the children’s college – my new car – my job.  Where do they fall into the mix?  

What my point, friend, is that all of that falls into its proper place when God is in His proper place.  A classic question is “Do you believe that what you believe is really real?” If you do – God will always be first – and if you don’t – God will often be left in the dust in favor of what is urgent – what your flesh tells you is important.  We are faced with these decisions every day.  But – if we are not spiritually minded – we are bound to choose poorly.  If the Chief End Of Man is indeed to “Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever” then God must be first and must be the One who determines what is important and what is urgent to us.  

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16

You are going to be challenged today with this dilemma – what to respond to and how to respond.  If you are a Christian – the choice is always clear but requires faith and obedience to respond correctly.  Keep the things of life in their proper place … don’t let your emotions rule .. that place belongs to God.  

Keep the main thing ... the main thing.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone