THINGS IMPORTANT TO GOD 

As natural human beings we tend to think of things important tot us.  As we study the word of God we are often confronted with the truth that an even higher priority is “Things Important To God.”   Here are some things that have struck me as being especially important to God. 

KNOW GOD 

Jeremiah 9:23 speaks of three things in which we are not to glory.  “Let not. . .
     The wise man glory in this wisdom
     The mighty man glory in his might
     The rich man glory in his riches.”

To glory means to praise, celebrate, boast.  The personal pronoun “his” is very important.  This verse refers to boasting or reveling in our human wisdom, might, and riches.  These qualities may serve us well in the normal flow of life, but often come up short in times of crisis.  The context refers to an invasion by the mighty Babylonian army as a judgment on Israel because of their multiplied sins.  God makes clear that these qualities will not save them.  It is well to take note that these three qualities remain as the ones in which man is naturally inclined to boast today.  They still come up short in a time of crisis. 

Jeremiah 9:24 emphasizes the qualities in which man is to glory.  “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me.” 

SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING

The word understand here refers to the spiritual enlightenment of the mind.  God’s word makes it clear that “the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. . .”  (See 1st Corinthians 2:13)  It is only when we humble ourselves and present God a receptive mind that the Holy Spirit can teach us the things of God. 

THE KNOWLEDGE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

“KNOWS Me” is experiential knowledge as opposed to academic.  It is knowledge we gained from personal experience and not just something we were taught by a teacher or read from a book.  It is common fro new believers to be asked hard questions as to how they know the teachings of the Bible are true, and how do they know their sins have been forgiven, and they are going to Heaven. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING GOD

The importance of knowing God is underscored by references to Jeremiah’s statement in the New Testament.           The Apostle Paul wrote, “But he who glories, let him glory in the LORD”. – 2nd Corinthians10:17.  The apostle John wrote, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life.”  1st John 5:2  (See also John 17:3).   

Jesus also gave us some sobering words when He taught that what counts with God is not our works or religious words but our personal acquaintance with Him.  “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ‘And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”  (Mark 7:23). 

LOVE GOD 

Jesus taught that the greatest commandment of all is to love God. A lawyer of Mosaic law asked Jesus, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”  “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment”  (Matthew 22:36-38).  (Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:4, 5). 

The Greek word Jesus used for love is “agape”.  It is a special word for love that emphasizes the mind and will more than the affections.  It is the kind of love by which we make an unconditional commitment that o0ur thoughts, words, and actions will be in the best interest of the person to whom we make the commitment. 

We are informed in1st Corinthians 2:9 that God has reserved a special blessing in eternity for those who love God in this way.  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

It is also significant that in the last recorded conversation between Jesus and His disciples that He did not question them about their doctrine or their activities.  He did ask Peter three times, “Do you love Me?”  (John 21:15-17).  Apparently, Jesus believes that if we love God like we ought it will motivate us to have the right beliefs and the right activities. 

LOVE OTHERS 

After giving the first and greatest commandment Jesus gave the second greatest command from God, “And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)  Then He revealed, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  (Matthew 22:40). 

Paul emphasized this truth in the greatest book on doctrine in the New Testament-the book of Romans (See Romans13:8-10). 

SERVE GOD 

Seven times God required Moses to tell Pharaoh, “Let My people go that they may serve Me…”  (Exodus 5-11).  When the Devil tempted Jesus he promised Jesus that he would give Him all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would fall down and worship him. Jesus answered, “Away with you, Satan!  For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God and Him only you shall serve”.   (Matthew 4:10). 

HOW DO WE SERVE GOD?

  1. Jesus gave us great insight on what we do to serve God.  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  (Matthew 6:33).  Give highest priority to God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness.
  2. Hebrews 9:14 tells us that the blood of Christ purges out our fleshly priorities and gives us God’s priorities:

          “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot
           to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” 

  1. We are enabled to serve God by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Just before Jesus ascended to heaven He said to His disciples, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8).  The book of Acts is a documentary revealing to us how this was fulfilled,  (Chapters 1 -12).  Peter preaching at Pentecost, etc. 
    Paul taking the gospel to the Gentile world. (Chapters 13-28). 

The book of Acts was not finished.  Luke just stopped writing.  The reason is that the Acts is still being written today as we put the kingdom of God first and serve God by the enabling of the Holy Spirit.

Copyright © 2005 Thomas E Berry
Scripture quotations from NKJV unless otherwise noted

    Copyright © 2008 Truth Helpers Inc.