Priorities

Pastor Martin treats the secondary object of salvation: the earth itself. The fundamental principle is that earth and man are so suited to each other that the condition of the earth is determined by the condition of the man who dwells on it. He traces this from creation (perfect man, perfect earth), through the fall (Genesis 3:17; Romans 8:19-22 — creation subjected to vanity and bondage), to the consummation when the earth will be purged by fire (2 Peter 3) and delivered into the liberty of the glory of the children of God (Revelation 21-22). He applies the doctrine against humanistic optimism and pessimism about ecology, calling Christians to searching self-evaluation, vigorous hope, right priorities, humility, and worship.

Pastor Martin continues examining the indisposition of the flesh as a hindrance to meditation, explaining from Galatians 5:17 and Romans 7:21 the irreconcilable warfare between flesh and spirit. He identifies four specific ways the flesh wars against meditation: weariness of the body, the call of other duties, the suggestion of substitute spiritual activities, and promises of greater diligence at a more convenient time. For each he provides practical scriptural remedies: buffeting the body, prioritizing the one thing needful, refusing to substitute one duty for another, and seizing the present moment.