The Single Most Important Thing in Your Life

Audio Transcript

If it’s true that God is most glorified in me when I’m most satisfied in him — if that’s true — then the fight to be happy in God is the most important thing in your life.

“Take my car. Take my computer. Take my house. I already have the real treasure.”

How did Jesus describe conversion? “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44). I read that text for years without seeing the phrase “in his joy.”

And every sermon I ever heard on it was, “You can have the kingdom. Sell what you’ve got. Take the kingdom.” It was all in terms of decision, resolve, commitment. But that little phrase “in his joy” changes everything. Now I can say, “Take my car. Take my computer. Take my wedding ring. I get the treasure, and I can buy it all back someday in heaven, a hundredfold on this earth and in heaven forever.”

Jesus got really bent out of shape when Peter said, “We have left everything and followed you” (Mark 10:28). What do you mean? You’ve left everything and followed me? What am I? You’ve lost everything and followed me? And Jesus said to Peter, “There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake . . . who will not receive a hundredfold . . . and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29–30). Get off your self-pity kick.


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