The Main Thing
How to Live a Life of Righteousness, Peace and Joy
Keep the main thing
the main thing
Will always produce
fruits of Righteousness, Peace and Joy
How to Live a Life of
Righteousness, Peace and Joy
When we make God the main person and
His Kingdom the main thing, three very
important words stand out to us
according to Romans 14…
For the kingdom of God
is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness,
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans14:17
Righteousness, Peace and Joy
Righteousness is what helps us keep
the main things Right, Perfect and Pure.
It causes us to do everything with excellence.
Whatever you do, work
at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,
not for men, since you
know that you will receive an inheritance from
the Lord as a reward.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:22-25
The second word is Peace.
Peace with God and Peace with others.
The world is full of chaos, turmoil and trouble.
The external things are great when they
are working, but frustrating when they break.
It is the external things that
we debate over and argue.
When we build expectation for something and sickness,
death or some other
crisis takes it away from us,
disappointment, fear, and even anger try to take over our
lives.
Jesus said at the most troublesome time of His earthly life…
"I have told you
these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have
overcome the world."
John 16:33
Jesus was not unfamiliar with trouble.
The devil troubled Him, People troubled Him,
even His desire to save the world troubled Him.
Jesus did not say in this world
you would not have trouble.
Jesus said in this world you will have trouble
but the trouble does not need to overtake you.
The key to overcoming the trouble of the
world is making the main thing…
Peace with God and Peace
with Others
If we use everything within us to live
at peace with God
than use that same energy to live
at peace with others…
We will be able to
lay our head on the pillow at the end
of every troubled day and have peace of mind and heart.
Colossians 3:15 tells us to let the
peace of Christ rule
in our hearts.
The word rule means play the umpire.
Peace with God and Peace of God is key to
making decisions and handling life’s trouble.
Our source of peace comes
from the Prince of Peace.
How did Jesus overcome the cruel
trouble that came upon Him on the cross?
He set the example in the Garden of Gethsemane.
He prayed…
"My Father, if it
is not possible for this cup to be taken away
unless I drink it, may
your will be done."
Matthew 26:42
He prayed until His desires
became the Father’s will.
We, too, will not be able to have peace when
we face our cross unless we come to a
place in prayer with the Father’s will.
Then we will be able to…
“Do everything to live at peace with everyone”
As it says in Romans 12:18.
Like Jesus when He spoke these words on the cross…
“Father forgive them
for they know not what they do.”
Jesus demonstrated peace in the extreme rejection pain
and suffering by keeping the main thing the main thing.
The third word is Joy.
When you have done your best before God…
You have walked in
righteousness
and peace, you will have joy.
How profound are these words concerning Jesus…
“Who for the joy set
before him
endured the cross,
scorning its shame,”
No wonder we are admonished to…
“Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus,
the author and
perfecter of our faith”
Hebrews
12:1-2
“Sorrow may last for
the night
but joy comes in the
morning”
Psalm 30:5
God works all things
out for
the good of those who
love Him.
Keep the main thing the main thing and God will
cause the sun to shine on you in the morning.
Scripture Reading
Colossians 3:15 NIV
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Romans 12:17-21 NIV
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what
is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends
on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but
leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I
will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his
head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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