First Things First

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 6:12

A godly seminary professor once told his students about spending the summer in Jerusalem working on a new Bible translation. While the students were envious of such a spiritual assignment, they were shocked to hear the professor say it had been one of the most unfruitful and carnal summers he had ever experienced!

How could studying and translating the Bible result in carnality and spiritual frustration? The professor reported that their scholarly efforts became mechanical and academic. In the midst of their dictionaries and texts, they lost sight of the One they were there to serve.

Christian service is important, but it can actually draw us away from the Savior if we let it. We can become so focused on meeting goals and achieving objectives that we don’t notice ourselves drifting away from the Lord. Like Paul, we need to differentiate between the good, better, and best. Is there anything—even a good thing—that is keeping you from the Best?

Just because something can be done is not enough of a reason that it should be done.