[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]
At various points in our lives, a call for examination is demanded. We need to evaluate where we stand, and in what direction we are headed. Paul said, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5). To determine if one is in the faith, the examination must be done according to the standard of the faith. Without proper examination, we could easily drift away from God’s pattern as many individuals have in the past. One example of this is found in the book of Haggai. Haggai was chosen by God to relay a message of examination by the admonition “Consider your ways!” This admonition was designed to awake the Jews to get back to serving God as they ought. Consideration forces the honest individual to look at various aspects of the life being led.
Priorities
Considering what is important to a person will describe the person’s character. How we place things in order of importance, or prioritize things, will determine what direction our lives are headed. If good deeds, family, honor, respect, etc hold importance, we will live in such a way that will achieve these things. This person will look for the needs of others, find a suitable mate carefully, and respect rules and guidelines because of what holds priority. Conversely if instant pleasure, self, riches, fear, etc are important we will do what is necessary to achieve these goals. This person may simply look out for only his/her happiness and cut corners in order to promote self to gain wealth and power. Observing a person’s life will show what is important to the individual. Therefore the first step in order to head in the desired direction is to prioritize.
This principle is taught and depicted throughout the Bible, beginning in Eden and will continue until judgment. In Genesis 3 we find that Eve prioritized her desires over the instructions of God. We also see that Adam gave Eve precedence over God’s instructions. The end result was punishment for their deeds. This couple’s decision was based on what was important at that moment. Genesis 22 shows us an example where a couple of men placed God as the highest priority. Abraham was willing to carry out the sacrifice his son of promise to be obedient to God. Isaac shared this priority by the fact that he did not fight Abraham to prevent this act. The end result here was an accounting of righteousness to these men. Choices are based upon what holds higher importance.
Today if we desire to live in heaven, we need to make the appropriate priorities. We will begin at placing God in the highest position. Choosing who we will serve is the first step in getting to the desired destination. If we choose to serve God, the end result is the gift of eternal life. In contrast if we choose to serve ourselves in a life that is sin according to God, the end result is death (Rom. 6:23). Some will choose to try to serve both, but this is impossible (Mt. 6:24). Ultimately one will take precedence over the other, and when we try to straddle the fence, we will eventually fall and hurt ourselves. Consider your priorities!
Dedication
Even though our priorities may be right, we may not be fully dedicated. Once we have our minds fixed upon what is important in our lives, the next step is to commit to our priorities. In the ‘90s people would “call” someone out being “all talk and no show.” The Christian needs to be one who does what he/she says. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees on one occasion telling His disciples to do what they say, but not as they do. The Pharisees knew what was right, but didn’t follow through. To consider our ways accurately, our dedication to our priorities must be examined.
The question to be asked is “I am dedicated to the gospel to what extent?” The one who is only dedicated superficially will honor God with his lips, but the Scriptures teach that the heart is far away (Mt. 15:8). Others may only serve while things are going well. When trials come, they abandon the path of righteousness to return to bondage (1 Tim. 4:1). However, the Christian who is wholly dedicated will strive for the goal (Phil. 3:13). Paul is an excellent example of dedication. Paul was one who did evil (persecuting the Church-Acts 8:3) and was obedient to the truth (1 Tim. 1:15). Paul was dedicated to the cause of Christ. He beseeched Christians to be holy (Rom. 12:1-2), follow the example of the apostles (Phil. 3:17), and remain dedicated to the work of being a Christian (1 Cor. 15:58). Are we truly dedicated, like those in the first century? Consider your ways!
Execution
Furthering our examination we need to consider our execution. Thus far we have prioritized what is important, determined how dedicated we are to our priorities, now we need to follow through and put our intentions into action. Knowing to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness needs to take precedence (Mt. 6:33), and God expects us to be committed to Him even to death (Rev. 2:10). However knowing it and doing it, although related, are not the same.
Ezra shows us this natural progression of prioritizing, dedicating, and executing. The Scriptures record for us, “for Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel” (Ez. 7:10). Ezra didn’t stop with setting his priorities, but set out to complete his goal. In Nehemiah 8, we read of how Ezra and other men taught the people in a way that was understandable. Therefore the people began to serve God correctly by beginning with the keeping of the Feast of Booths (Neh. 8:15). Ezra would not have been able to execute this without setting his priorities and dedicating himself to the Law of the Lord.
Therefore when we examine ourselves today, we should follow suit. Remember it is the doer that knows what kind of person he is in connection with the law of liberty (Jms. 1:22-25). Also it is the doer that will enter heaven (Mt. 7:21-23). Note that the doer in both cases does what is prescribed in the word of God. It does not profit us to acknowledge what is right and its importance if we are not going to follow through. The parable of the two builders in Matthew 7:24-27 show that the builder did according to God’s word is acceptable and the builder who rebelled is not. The evidence of their houses testifies of whose standard they followed. Will we execute the things according to His word? Consider your ways!
This principle of considering our ways is found in both the Old and New Testaments. The book of Haggai shows what it means to not have our priorities right. Because the people did not hold God in His proper place, the house of God was not constructed. Rather the people built paneled houses for themselves. The Israelites were intent more on their physical luxuries than their spiritual service due to God (Haggai 1:2-3). Therefore Haggai was chosen to stir the people to consider their ways and how life was going. The Israelites’ disobedience was the cause for being smitten by God (Haggai 2:17). When the people stopped to consider their ways (in terms of their priorities, dedication, and execution), they could see changes that were necessary in order to correct their errors. After they completed the task set before them, they were blessed (Haggai 2:19). When we complete the tasks included in living as a Christian, we will be rewarded with the inheritance of heaven. In order to make our election sure, we need to take time periodically to ‘consider our ways.’
