This week Michael writes: Oswald Chambers said, if your eyes are on the problem, then you become the problem. The solution to the problem is not to focus on the problem but to focus on the Lord. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face … and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.
Despite the aimless confusion of the world, the secular chaos and materialistic pandemonium around us; and most importantly, despite the rejection of the truth of the Word of God, we can focus on Jesus Christ instead of the world’s problems. The devil distracts us to divert our attention to the chaos, conflict and confusion of this world. Regardless of the problems the world inflicts, the solution to the problem is Jesus Christ … He is the meaning of life and the purpose of the Word of God. Jesus said, in this world you shall suffer tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. In the midst of the trials and tribulation of life, God will teach us that He alone is our sufficiency.
The secular world says that we should avoid persecution ... for persecution ridicules, bullies, offends and inflicts pain and humiliation. However, Jesus said, blessed are they when men shall revile you, persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. For great is your reward in heaven. In John 5:16, the Jews persecuted Jesus and tried to kill him. Jesus had healed a lame man on the Sabbath day, which is the fourth of God’s Ten Commandments. In
Exodus 20:8-11 God commanded, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” It was against the law of the Pharisees to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus asked them, what is the right thing to do on the Sabbath? Is it right to do evil or to do good? What does God require of you on the Sabbath? According to Isaiah 58, is not the Sabbath to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, and to welcome the needy into your house? Is this not much greater than doing the religious rituals of the Pharisees? The great law of love God and love others is contrary to the rituals, traditions, and legalistic commands of the Pharisees.
What was the difference between Cain’s offering and Abel’s? Cain did not entrusting his best to God. Why did Cain kill Abel? Because the Lord respected Abel because his offering was righteous, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. Sin laid at his door and its desire was for him. Cain allowed sin to rule over him. Abel was slain because the darkness of sin hates the light neither comes to the light lest his deeds should be reproved. The adversary usually hides in darkness … he rarely shows his true colors. However, the “thought leaders” of this world indoctrinate the people to call evil good and good evil. They twist the truth of the Word of God into a lie. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Israel who had turned from God, persecuted the prophets whom God had called to teach them, reprove them and correct them. The religious leaders who plotted to murderer Jesus also tried to eliminate the disciples of Christ. 2 Timothy 3:12 says all who suffer for righteousness in Christ will be persecuted. Those who oppose the truth of the Word of God are in rebellion against God and oppose the followers of Christ, who stand for God’s righteous standards of truth, mercy, grace, and love. Are we ready to turn the other cheek, go the second mile, and bless those who persecute us? People will not notice how well we handle successes and victory. However, They will sit up and take note how we handle adversity.
Let's continue Michael's message on Christian focus in the next Post.
In Christ, Brian
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