What Really Matters
God designed our hearts and our brains—our emotions and our intellect—to work together.
For example, when we love someone, we’re compelled to know them on a deeper level. And as we uncover their passions and their heartaches and what makes them tick, we are often compelled into an even deeper kind of love.
When the apostle Paul was writing to the believers in Philippi (a city in Greece) he gave them this charge:
“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”
Philippians 1:9-10 NLT
No one wants to waste their time, their energy, or their one precious life. But when we understand what’s important—knowing and loving God, knowing and loving people—we can choose to spend our lives on what matters most.
So what did Paul want for the Philippians?
Paul longed for their love to be evident while their knowledge continued to grow; for a life of love to be cultivated while understanding continued to flourish.
The Bible teaches that knowledge of God is true understanding (Proverbs 9:10) and that the most important commandment is to love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-40). And we gain insights about God’s character by studying His Word, learning from His creation, and living with love.
As we love God with our hearts and minds, lean into knowledge and faith, and embrace truth and grace, we can experience a more complete picture of God’s beautiful plan.
We can shine light into an increasingly dark world. We can add vision, clarity, and meaning to whatever circles we frequent. We can be known for loving our Creator and loving the people around us. We can live God-honoring lives until the day we meet our Savior face to face.
“Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin. The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite, and Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite, Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite, Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites, and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor. And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could ...