8463 priority, of faith, hope and love

Putting God first—living according to his word—serves the glory of God and also the best interests of believers, by giving them true wisdom for daily living.

The wisdom of making faith a priority

Heb 11:6

Putting the fear of God before other considerations Ps 31:19 See also Ex 1:17; Ne 5:15; Pr 1:7

Preferring God’s way to sinful advice Ps 1:1-2 The precious wisdom of obeying God: Pr 3:13-14; Pr 8:19,32 Following sinful advice: Nu 31:16; 1Ki 12:28

Choosing imaginative action rather than laziness or fearfulness Nu 13:30 See also 1Sa 25:33; Eph 5:16 Examples of failure to do this: Mt 25:10,26-27,44-45; Mt 26:40

Patient waiting rather than impetuous action Ps 40:1 See also Ps 27:14; Ps 37:5-6; Ps 62:5; Ps 123:2; Pr 3:5-6; Isa 40:31; Hos 12:6; Jn 2:4-5; Rev 2:10

The wisdom of making hope a priority

Heb 6:19 See also Ps 147:10-11

Putting true riches above earthly wealth Lk 16:9 See also Dt 15:8; Mt 6:24; Mt 19:21 pp Mk 10:21 pp Lk 18:22; Mt 19:29 pp Mk 10:29-30 pp Lk 18:29-30; Heb 11:26

Putting eternal joy before temporal hardship 2Co 4:17-18 See also Ac 14:22; Ac 16:25; Ro 8:18; 2Ti 2:10; Heb 10:34

The wisdom of making love a priority

1Co 13:13 Paul’s concern that love, rather than competition over spiritual gifts, should be made a priority.

Loyalty rather than opportunism Pr 18:24 See also Ru 1:16; 2Ti 4:10 Demas’love for this world rather than loyalty

Following the Spirit rather than sinful human nature Gal 5:16 Merely “human” activity betrays a failure of love for God. See also Ps 147:10-11; Isa 31:1-3; Ro 8:5

Inner sincerity rather than outward appearance Ro 12:9 See also 1Sa 16:7; Eph 6:5; Col 3:22

Actions rather than mere words Jas 2:18 See also Mt 7:21-22; 1Jn 3:18

Peace rather than disharmony Ro 12:18 See also Ro 14:19; Heb 12:14

Truth rather than falsehood Pr 12:19 See also Ac 5:4; Col 3:9

See also