The Christian's Goal That Precedes All Others

Perhaps it is first necessary to explain the heading of this article. Be it known that our ultimate goal in becoming a Christian is to make heaven our home when this life is over. However, there is another goal which every Christian should set in this life which could determine his/her reaching that ultimate goal.

While there is no way that we can do enough works by ourselves to win eternal life, there is one thing which stands at the top of the list for all Christians in regard to things accomplished. In Ephesians 4:3, I believe we can find the answer to what that goal is: “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the ‘bond’ of peace.”

Yes, preceding all other efforts, because nothing really profitable unto the Lord can be accomplished otherwise, is a sense of peace and unification of everyone making up the membership of local congregations. This bond can only be reached through one avenue: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love)” (1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV).

When Christians have the proper love for the Lord, His word, His church and each other, they can find that goal which precedes all others — "the bond of peace." It follows the principles which were set in the beginning of “like produces like” (Genesis 1:11).

How can the gospel of peace concerning the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), be successfully proclaimed without this “bond of peace?” May this always be the goal that precedes all others. —Dennis R. Smith

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets