Knowing Your True Identity Guides Your Priorities By Rick Warren
“[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26 NIV).
For the last couple of days we’ve talked about two things: First, knowing God helps you know your true identity. And second, knowing your true identity helps you define your responsibilities. Today we’re going to see how knowing your true identity also helps set your priorities.
Let’s go back to Moses, whose life we’ve been considering. He was born a Hebrew slave but was raised as Pharaoh’s grandson. In Moses’ world the value system for most people was the same as it is today. They valued popularity, pleasure, and possessions.
But when Moses realized he was a Hebrew, his values and priorities changed. Suddenly palace life didn’t matter anymore. “Heregarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26 NIV).
His true identity helped him define his values, and he prioritized his life based on those values.
He decided three things:
1. Fulfilling God’s purpose is better than popularity.
2. Loving God’s people is better than pleasure.
3. Having God’s peace is better than possessions.
Moses gave up all the things many people spend their whole lives trying to get. Why? “Because he was looking ahead to his reward.” His vision set his values. Then his values determined his priorities: to follow God and to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt.
Paul was one of the first Christians, and he had a similar long-term vision. In Philippians 3:8 he says, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus” (TLB).
What about you? What values are most important to you? If you don’t know, give it some thought. If you don’t decide for yourself what’s important, other people will decide for you.
Has your life been focused on what other people value—things like popularity, pleasure, and possessions? If so, follow the examples of Moses and Paul. Find your true identity in Christ. Adopt God’s vision for your life. Let that vision show you your values. And then let your values set your priorities.
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